Better Health Program

Antimicrobials are essential for the protection of human and animal health. Additionally, they contribute to guaranteeing the wellbeing of production animals and obtaining safe foods.

Given their importance, the poultry and pork producing sector has worked with the authority to guarantee responsible and prudent antibiotic use, prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and preserving their effectiveness in human and animal health.

In Chile, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) is the authority in charge of the registration, authorization, and control of veterinary drugs and the regulation of their use in the livestock sector. SAG has the authority to restrict antibiotics that pose risks to human and animal health.

The pork and poultry industry is aware of the need to tackle AMR, which is why it has implemented the “White Meat Industry Better Health Program,” to promote the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in poultry and pork production in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The program started in 2016 with five pillars of action:

1. Industry awareness and training.

2. Promoting the proper use of antimicrobials.

3. Promoting best practices for heath and biosecurity.

4. Supporting national legislation.

5. Investing in research, development, and networks with local and international institutions.

In order to inform, assess, and make joined decisions on matters related to the Better Health program, an Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Committee with veterinary doctors and advisors of the association’s member companies was created.