Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, in part due to high antibiotic use in food production. Bacteria and other microorganisms can become resistant to antimicrobial medicines (such as antibiotics) used to fight them. This is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
When resistance develops, treating infections becomes more difficult, which can lead to increased illness and mortality.
AMR is a global challenge threatening both human and animal health, and it impacts the environment. Therefore, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration works to prevent and combat AMR in animals and in food. This effort takes place from several angles: monitoring, legislation, prevention, and responsible use of antibiotics in animals.
Our effort in the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are based on a range of initiatives. These efforts focus on monitoring, legislation, prevention, and the responsible use of antibiotics in food production.
In September 2024, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration launched a new Action Plan on AMR. The plan continues the work to combat AMR in animals and food throughout the entire chain — from farm to fork — during the period 2024–2027.
The plan covers:
- The use of antibiotics in livestock production,
- Biosecurity measures on farms, and
- Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in production animals and food.
Find the action plan (in Danish)
Ongoing Follow-up
This is the third national action plan from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
The first plan was launched in 2017 together with Denmark’s National One Health Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance.
All objectives from the second action plan (2021) have either been achieved or carried forward into the new plan.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration continuously monitors the implementation and progress of the initiatives in the plan.