The Welsh Government has confirmed in the last few days that the Arwain DGC scheme will continue for another year. Follow the link below for further information.
This scheme builds on ID’s original initiative back in 2016/17, following publication of the O’Neill report on responsible medicine use. ID in collaboration with Menter a Busnes (now Mentera) created the ground-breaking Wales Veterinary Antimicrobial (AM) Responsible Use programme for farm animal practice in Wales. In 2018 ID and WLBP met with Bristol University’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) “Task Force” and the Arwain Vet Cymru Scheme was launched, funded by Welsh Government. This scheme evolved and in 2021 was replaced by the more comprehensive Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthfaicrobaidd Cyfrifol) Scheme. This project has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised both nationally and internationally for its work on AMU and AMR.
The Welsh Government have also created a new Wales AMR Animal Health delivery group. Two ID Board members (Rob Smith and Ifan Lloyd) sit on this group (and previously it’s predecessor The Wales Animal and Environment AMR delivery group) and will continue to represent the views of Welsh Farm animal vets and farmers on this group.
Arwain DGC’s success can only be maintained and grow with the continued support of Welsh farm vets and ID member practices. The board thank members for their continued commitment to the scheme and hope that the scheme will continue to go from strength to strength in future years.
Rob Smith
ID Board member(AMRU lead)
