StAR in the agricultural sector
Healthy animals are strong and do not need medicine, meaning no antibiotic resistance will develop. Farmers and vets are therefore required to use preventative measures to promote health in animals. As part of this, factors such as genetics, housing, feed and hygiene need to be considered. This means actors involved in livestock production and agriculture can fulfil their responsibility and help to preserve effective antibiotics within the meaning of the One Health principle.
In focus
Animal health
In order to improve sustainability in the production of animal-source foods, animal health and welfare require particular attention. The role of farmers and veterinarians in strengthening animal health is undergoing a paradigm shift, as prevention and the One Health approach move into the foreground.
Healthy Hooves
The FOAG is funding the Gesunde Klauen (Healthy Hooves) resource project. The active phase of the project ran for six years from 2019 to 2024, and involved livestock farmers, hoof trimmers and veterinarians. The project aims to improve hoof care through the systematic collection of electronic data on hoof care and hoof health, and thus to reduce the use of antibiotics, increase the longevity of dairy cows and improve the profitability of the farm. This practice will make it possible to identify and treat hoof problems in a targeted manner, and the data collected will form the basis for the development of hoof-health breeding values. Animals that are less likely to suffer hoof problems can be selected for breeding on this basis.
Homepage - Healthy Hooves (in German, French and Italian)
Agricultural Report 2020 – ‘Healthy Hooves’ Resource Programme (in German, French and Italian)
Smart Animal Health
The Smart Animal Health research project collects and links existing data on farm animals in order to identify correlations between husbandry and health. This perspective allows measures to be taken when the need is identified. The data has been collected as part of official inspections as well as from private sources. These indicators help to recognise and promote good animal husbandry practices and the ability to determine the health of the livestock population. They can also help to reduce the number of inspections at farms with exemplary animal husbandry practices and to evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken to improve animal health and welfare.
Smart Animal Health – a new system of animal health indicators (in German, French and Italian)
Prevention
Prevention is better than cure! Optimising the system for keeping and caring for animals should improve their health and thus reduce the consumption of antibiotics. More information on prevention efforts can be found in the Animal section.
Surveillance
The distribution and use of antibiotics, as well as the emergence and development of resistance, are monitored across all areas. This data forms the basis for targeted interventions and performance reviews. Information on the development of antibiotic consumption and resistance can be found here.
Information System on Antibiotics in Veterinary Medicine IS ABV
Since the implementation of the Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance Switzerland (StAR) began, various measures have been taken in Switzerland to reduce the use of antibiotics. In the veterinary sector, the annual sales volume of antibiotics has been reported by the respective marketing authorisation holders since 2008. Since 2019, veterinarians have also been reporting and registering prescription data for veterinary medicinal products containing antibiotics for farm animals and pets in the Information System on Antibiotics in Veterinary Medicine (IS ABV).
Priorities, objectives and measures of StAR in the agricultural sector
An overview of all funded projects in the field of animal health
Information on the priorities, objectives and measures of StAR