FAO and USAID support new veterinary guidelines for livestock and poultry

This document presents the Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) for livestock and poultry, developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) of the Government of India with support from the FAO and USAID. It matters to citizens as it aims to standardize veterinary care, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and improve food safety and livestock productivity across India.

Veterinary professionals, paraprofessionals, community animal health workers (CAHWs), policymakers, drug manufacturers, and livestock farmers in India.

• The guidelines are described as 'advocacy guidelines' and are explicitly stated to be 'not legally binding' or mandatory regulations.
• The final decision on diagnosis, drug choice, dose, and treatment duration rests with the attending veterinarian based on professional judgment and the clinical status of the animal.
• Implementation must strictly adhere to the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, especially Section 30, and be conducted under the supervision of a registered veterinary practitioner.
• The document is intended to minimize antimicrobial misuse, promote rational drug stewardship, and address the global concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• The guidelines include ethno-veterinary practices to provide cost-effective treatment options for marginal and small-scale farmers.
• The document is a 'living document' intended for periodic review and updates based on feedback from practicing veterinarians over a period of 2-3 years.
• The guidelines cover major diseases in cattle, poultry, camels, equines, and wildlife, comprising nine detailed chapters.

Written from the document by AI, and checked against it. The original below is authoritative.

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