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<p><del class="ministerial">The UK Government remains committed to reducing unnecessary
use of antibiotics in animals while safeguarding animal welfare.</del></p><p><del
class="ministerial">Changes to the law on veterinary medicines is one of the tools
which can be used to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in animals and, as
one element of a programme of interventions to help deliver the UK’s 5-year national
action plan, it is our intention to strengthen our national law in this area.</del></p><p><del
class="ministerial">The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (VMR) set out the controls
on the production, distribution, possession, dispensing and administration of veterinary
medicines in Great Britain. Over the past year the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
has engaged in a comprehensive dialogue with stakeholders about a broad range of changes
that we propose to the VMR including new measures to help tackle anti-microbial resistance.</del></p><p><del
class="ministerial">We are now preparing to publish a formal consultation paper setting
out our proposals which will provide the opportunity for all affected stakeholders
to express their views. Following the public consultation, we anticipate laying new
legislation in 2023.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The vaccination of poultry
and captive birds excluding those in licensed zoos against avian influenza is not
currently permitted. While authorised avian influenza vaccines are available in the
UK, these vaccines are unlikely to provide full protection for the current strains
of highly pathogenic avian influenza circulating in the UK and continental Europe,
or cross-protection to other strains which may circulate in the future. At present,
vaccination can help to reduce mortality, but it is likely that some vaccinated birds
would still be capable of transmitting avian influenza if they became infected. This
would increase the time taken to detect and eradicate the virus and many trading partners
will not accept the use of vaccination.</ins><br /> <br /><ins class="ministerial">
Defra in conjunction with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will continue to monitor
the development and availability of vaccines for their utility in preventing and responding
to avian influenza outbreaks as they are put forward for market authorisation by vaccine
manufacturers. Any future decisions on disease control measures, including the use
of vaccination, will be based upon the latest scientific, ornithological, and veterinary
advice.</ins></p>
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