Antibiotics in food animal production and resistant bacteria in humans

Bacteria are becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotics. As a result, the number of usable drugs is decreasing, while no new drugs are expected in the short term. This complicates the treatment of certain infections in humans. The scope of the problem is so great that the World Health Organisation made ‘antimicrobial resistance’ the theme of its annual World Health Day in 2011.

Committee

• Prof. L.J. Gunning-Schepers, President of the Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, Chairperson
• E.J. de Boer, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Hague, observer
• Prof. M.J.M. Bonten, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Utrecht University Medical Centre
• Prof. J.E. Degener, Professor of Medical Microbiology, Groningen University Medical Centre
• Prof. J.T. van Dissel, Professor of Internal Medicine, with a special interest in infectious diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Prof. J. Fink-Gremmels (until 7 June 2011), Professor of veterinary pharmacology and toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
• Prof. L.O. Fresco, University Research Professor in Sustainable Development from an international perspective, University of Amsterdam
• Prof. R.B.M. Huirne, Professor of Agricultural Business Economics, Wageningen University and Research Centre
• Prof. J.A.J.W. Kluytmans, Professor of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Prevention, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Prof. F. van Knapen, Professor of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
• Dr W. van Pelt, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, adviser
• E.L.J.M. Pierey, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, The Hague, observer
• Prof. J.M. Prins, Professor of Internal Medicine, with a special interest in the treatment of infectious diseases, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Prof. J.A. Stegeman, Professor of farm animal health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
• Prof. H. Vaarkamp, Professor of Veterinary Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
• Prof. J.A. Wagenaar, Professor of Clinical Infectiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University
• Dr. K. Groeneveld, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, scientific secretary
• Dr. M.F.M. Langelaar, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, scientific secretary
• E.J. Schoten, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, scientific secretary