Diolch, Llywydd. Antibiotics are a fundamental foundation for modern healthcare systems, enabling us to effectively treat most bacterial infections, in both people and animals. Their discovery and development have revolutionised not only healthcare, but also wider society. Infections and procedures that would have been fatal in the past are now treated routinely. Antibiotics are a precious resource, and we need to safeguard them for the well-being of our future generations.

Antibiotics occur naturally in nature, as does the ability of bacteria to become resistant to them. For example, within 20 years of its introduction in the 1940s, more than 80 per cent of strains of Staphyloccus aureus had become resistant to penicillin. Resistance to antibiotics is a property of the bacteria, not their human or animal hosts, largely driven by the use of antibiotics themselves, and the threat it poses is real. As resistance can be spread between bacteria and some resistant organisms infect both people and animals, we need to address antibiotic use holistically in both people and animals.

AMR control also needs to address potential routes of spread through the environment and through the food chain. Leaving AMR unchecked would have wide-ranging and extremely costly impacts, not only in financial terms, but also in terms of public and animal health, as well as trade, food security and environmental and socioeconomic development. Already, AMR is estimated to cause 700,000 deaths each year globally. This figure is estimated to rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken. People and animals will suffer longer illnesses and more deaths, and it will increase pressure on health services for humans and animals. AMR is primarily a threat for people; however, losing effective antibiotics through resistance would have grave consequences for animal health, animal welfare and food security.

The World Health Organization produced a global action plan on AMR, endorsed at the World Health Assembly in 2015. Subsequently, the World Organisation for Animal Health published their strategy on AMR and the prudent use of AMRs in animals. Here in the UK, there is currently a 20-year vision and five-year national action plan, both published in 2019. These strategies have helped shape our approach in Wales. In 2019, I established the Wales Animal and Environment Antimicrobial Resistance Delivery Group. The group is made up of representatives from the farming industry, the veterinary profession, leading academics, Public Health Wales, and Government officials.

In July 2019, I published a five-year animal and environment AMR implementation plan for Wales, which was recommended by the newly established delivery group. The Welsh plan has five major objectives. An important focus is on infection prevention and control. Keeping animals healthy through good care and management reduces the need to use antibiotics. Another key focus is on ensuring when antibiotics do have to be used, they are used responsibly, minimally and in ways that reduce the risk of the development of resistance.

We have applied the 'one health' concept to our approach. Human health and animal health are interdependent and are bound to the health of the environment in which they exist. We have brought together experts in public, animal and environmental health to work together, sharing their experience and expertise. I believe this approach has been successful and has placed Wales towards the forefront of efforts to control AMR.

Within the Welsh Government, the quality and nursing directorate are currently undertaking a review of the AMR national action plan targets published in 2019. The review is predominantly focused on human health; however, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has contributed to this review with an assessment of the NAP targets regarding animal and environment health. AMR has also been identified as one of the key priorities for our 10-year Wales animal health and welfare framework. A 'one health' approach is fundamental, not just for AMR control, but for our goal of a healthy Wales.

I would like to inform the Senedd of some of the specific work I have commissioned. To support delivery approaches on the ground, I made £4 million of rural development plan funding available to focus on the control of AMR in animals and the environment. Arwain DGC Cymru were successful in their application to deliver a range of important projects to control AMR and promote animal health. The project, launched in October 2021, is currently delivering a number of activities, many of which are being piloted here in Wales for the first time. The project is leading the way on capturing antibiotic usage data for beef, sheep and dairy sectors across Wales. This is an important step as we need to understand patterns of antibiotic use in order to establish a baseline and to target reduction of the most high-risk uses. The information is of great interest to the whole food chain, and this work will put our producers in a good position to meet market demands. Acting and delivering now will significantly help demonstrate how Welsh produce is produced responsibly and safely.

Some of the projects being developed under Arwain DGC also build upon progress made as part of the Arwain Vet Cymru project. Staff at the new Aberystwyth University veterinary school established the first group of veterinary prescribing champions in the UK, who are leading work in their practices and among their clients to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly. The project has received widespread recognition and garnered some prestigious awards. The project's lead, based at the veterinary school in Aberystwyth, was awarded the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Impact Award for this work. Our vet prescribing champions are also developing important guidelines on antibiotic selection for use by vets, similar to resources available to NHS GPs—a first for Wales.

There are many other groundbreaking strands of the Arwain DGC project, and further information can be found on their website. I would encourage all Members to have a look. In little over a year, Arwain DGC is already receiving a great amount of recognition, not just across the UK but further afield. In recognition of their success, I’m pleased to confirm Arwain DGC has been shortlisted for three separate entries as part of the Antibiotic Guardian awards. I wish them the best of luck for when the results are announced, later this year.

It is clear the control of AMR cannot be done solely by Government. The control of infectious diseases and of the antibiotics used to treat them are in the hands of animal keepers and their vets. We, therefore, need those people, and the scientific experts, to work together and with us. Therefore, I’m pleased to confirm I've allocated an additional £2.5 million to support the continuation of delivery efforts for the next two years here in Wales. 

In conclusion, Llywydd, I want to emphasise the relevance of AMR control to the safety and well-being of future generations, in Wales and around the world. Our work on AMR control is an excellent example of how forward-looking and multidisciplinary approaches, with the Welsh Government working constructively alongside partners in the private sector, can deliver the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in this case a prosperous Wales, a resilient Wales, a healthier Wales, and a globally responsible Wales. I am determined Wales continues to make a full contribution to the control of AMR. Diolch.