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Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Monday, 9 February 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Aquaculture: Antimicrobials

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to develop routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance across UK aquaculture sectors.

Answer

In 2022 the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) initiated a collaboration with the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture science (Cefas) with the support of the British Trout Association (BTA), to establish AMR surveillance in bacteria responsible for disease in UK farmed trout. Results from this pilot scheme have been reported in the UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance Reports (2023 & 2024). Building on this work the development of a national surveillance programme for AMR in healthy aquatic animals – including finfish and shellfish – is currently under consideration.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has also established the Private Laboratories Initiative (PLI) to strengthen national AMR surveillance by capturing clinical data from private veterinary diagnostic laboratories, which are not currently included in government surveillance programmes. Addressing this surveillance gap will improve our ability to understand of AMR trends and detect emerging threats. This work includes aquaculture, with work underway led by Cefas. Further details can be found in the UK‑VARSS 2024 report (p.169).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14409
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Antimicrobials Drug resistance Aquaculture
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk