The events brought together representatives of local self-government bodies, the education and social sectors, local civil society organizations, as well as community workers who regularly interact with residents and serve as local opinion leaders.
According to the organizers, territorial communities currently play a crucial role in spreading awareness about responsible antibiotic use, since a significant share of livestock in Ukraine is kept in household farms. Project data show that households account for around 35% of pigs and 66% of cattle in the country. At the same time, antibiotics are often used in such farms without consultation with veterinarians, increasing the risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
During the trainings, participants discussed what antimicrobial resistance is and why it poses a threat not only to livestock production but also to human health. Separate sessions focused on common mistakes in animal treatment, the proper use of antibiotics, the importance of consulting licensed veterinarians, and compliance with withdrawal periods for meat, milk, and eggs.
The practical component of the event included an interactive role-playing game titled “Antimicrobial Resistance in the Community,” during which participants modeled real-life situations and practiced mechanisms of cooperation between different stakeholder groups.
The “Achieving Targets and Supporting Epidemic Control” (EpiC) project, under which the trainings are conducted, aims to strengthen public health, animal health, and laboratory capacity through technical assistance, institutional capacity building, and improved coordination between national and regional authorities in line with international standards.
The next trainings for representatives of territorial communities will take place on May 26–27 in Zhytomyr at the conference hall of the Optima Collection Zhytomyr hotel.
The EpiC project in Ukraine aims to strengthen the country’s public health, animal health, and laboratory capacity through targeted technical assistance, institutional capacity development, and improved coordination between national and regional public and animal health authorities in accordance with international standards and multisectoral principles.
The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders is a non-profit voluntary organization founded by domestic pork producers. Its key objectives include representing and protecting the interests of member farms, promoting the development and implementation of innovative pork production technologies, expanding market opportunities, and protecting the domestic market.