Farida Advocates Strict Measures Against Antibiotic Misuse

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has stressed the urgent need to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy to curb the misuse and unnecessary use of antibiotics.  “Proper control of antibiotics and pesticide use in food production and the livestock sector is equally essential,” she said. The adviser made the remarks while speaking at the event “Fleming Fund Legacy in Bangladesh: Tackling AMR through One Health Approach” hosted by the British High Commission in Dhaka at Hotel Westin this morning, said a government press release.

She said ensuring safe food in both import and export requires full compliance with the WTO standards. Farida emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG-2 (Zero Hunger)—goes beyond increasing food production.  She warned that the poor are the most affected by the widespread and unnecessary use of antibiotics, especially in low-cost poultry farming.

Highlighting the importance of prevention and food safety in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), she stated that the UK government’s “Fleming Fund” has significantly strengthened Bangladesh’s AMR surveillance capacity since 2020 through the “One Health approach”. This initiative has enhanced the knowledge and skills of farmers, veterinarians, and field officers, leading to safer food production and more responsible antimicrobial use.

Mentioning that One Health is a shared responsibility, the adviser said, “All sectors—human health, fisheries, livestock and agriculture—must work together. No one is at the center; everyone will participate equally,” she said.  She called for taking collective action to ensure safe food, health awareness and controlled antibiotic use. Martin Dawson, Deputy Development Director of the British High Commission in Dhaka gave the address of welcome while Dr Md Noor E Alam Siddique, Technical Lead of the Fleming Fund Country Grant to Bangladesh (FFCGB) presented the program’s key achievements.

Chaired by FFCGB Team Lead Professor Shah Monir Hossain, the programme was attended by senior officials. Researchers, scientists and senior representatives from government and private organizations also participated in the event.