Corporate Action On Antibiotic Overuse Demanded By Investors Before UN Meeting

The private sector is being encouraged to take important action on antimicrobial resistance by an international group of 75 stakeholders with $189 billion in assets under management. Companies are being asked by investors to enforce harsher policies on antibiotic use in livestock supply chains.

“We urge that the role of the animal health, food and agriculture industry is not overlooked and encourage the private sector to take critical action,” reads the investor statement.

On Wednesday, the UN will host a High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance at its headquarters in New York. The meeting will bring together Member States, non-governmental organisations, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions.

The implementation of stringent national and regional regulations, which will ensure that public health sits firmly at the heart of the food system

 

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“We call on UN member states to bring clarity to antibiotic use recommendations currently in place through the implementation of stringent national and regional regulations, which will ensure that public health sits firmly at the heart of the food system,” the statement continues.

“As shareholders we urge animal health and food companies, including meat producers, restaurants and retailers, to end the use of antibiotics important to human medicine in their operations and global supply chains.”

Investors include:

• Menhaden Capital
• Mirova
• Strathclyde Pension Fund
• Trillium Asset Management

Earlier this year, a coalition of investors worth over $1 trillion in assets wrote to 10 leading US and UK fast food and restaurant companies, to raise concerns about antimicrobial resistance. They asked the companies to phase out the routine use of medically important antibiotics in their meat and poultry supply chains. Investors are in continued dialogue with eight of the companies.