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National Plan Against Antibiotic Resistance (PRAN) 2025-2027: A Comprehensive Strategy to Preserve Public, Animal, and Environmental Health
In Spain, the cornerstone for addressing this issue is the National Plan against Antibiotic Resistance (PRAN), aligned with the strategies of the European Union (EU) and the quadripartite (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)).
Since its inception in 2014, PRAN has laid the foundations for addressing antimicrobial resistance through a One Health strategy that integrates human health, animal health, and the environment.
There have been four plans adopted since then, each representing tangible progress, evidenced by the progressive reduction in antibiotic consumption that has positioned Spain as a leader in the fight against this global threat.
This year, the PRAN 2025-2027 has been launched, continuing the work done so far, consolidating existing projects, extrapolating them to other areas, and promoting new actions that address other emerging challenges.
In animal health specifically, this new plan aims to:
The development and implementation of the Antimicrobial Use Optimization Programs (PROA), for both production animals and companion animals. The creation of a working group to improve infection control and prevention (CPI), in line with the European Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (EUJAMRAI2).
The consolidation of the European Surveillance Network of Veterinary Antimicrobial Sales and Use (ESUAvet).
The development and consolidation of the Surveillance Project of Clinical Pathogenic Bacteria and resistance in wild animals.
Improve the availability of veterinary medicines with antimicrobials or with alternatives to them.
Commit to training and raising awareness among all those involved in the prudent use of antimicrobials.
PROA TEAMS IN ANIMAL HEALTH
The PRAN has taken a further step with the development of PROA Teams in animal health.
These programs focus on the prevention of infectious diseases to reduce the use of antimicrobials, highlighting the prevention and control of the emergence and spread of AMR, in addition to ensuring sustainable access to effective treatments.
They are applicable to both production animals and companion animals.
The development and implementation of these programs require the participation of different stakeholders with a clear definition of their responsibilities and the measures or interventions to be implemented.
Among these interventions are:
Monitoring and surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial consumption.
IPC measures in animals.
Appropriate use of antimicrobials.
Availability of a wide range of effective antimicrobial drugs and alternatives such as vaccines or other preventive or therapeutic treatments.
Training and awareness in the field for veterinarians, farmers, and animal owners.
The applicable regulatory framework.
These initiatives include:
Identification of the necessary stakeholders in each area.
Establishment of indicators to evaluate the degree of implementation of the PROA.
Development of training and/or awareness for stakeholders.
Integration of the information collected in surveillance systems.
The objective is clear: reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobials, prevent resistance, and improve animal health and welfare within a One Health approach that combines human, animal, and environmental health.
NEW PRAN ACTIONS IN RUMINANTS
The actions for 2025-2027 in the ruminant sector, in general, include supporting and advising the sector in the implementation of the PROA, for which the standard PROA guidelines being developed at the European level will be transferred.
| In them, the following will be identified:
1 The necessary stakeholders (e.g., farmers, veterinarians and other related professionals, scientific experts, etc.). 2 The necessary elements and/or interventions (e.g., biosecurity practices, IPC, monitoring and surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance, etc.). 3 Indicators will be included to assess the degree of implementation of these. |
The information collected in the first ESUAvet report also serves as a reference point to promote the optimal use of antimicrobials.
ACCESS THE FIRST ESUAVET REPORT
The data shows the sector’s commitment to protecting public and animal health.
The report reflects that the majority of antimicrobials used in cattle (56%), goats (65%), and sheep (88%) belong to the AMEG category D “use with prudence” which shows the commitment of these sectors to the protection of animal health and welfare, and public health, as they are considered to have a lower impact on AMR.
This report shows that there is room for improvement, as it shows that the consumption of category C antibiotics “use with caution” is relatively high, especially in cattle (43%).
| To promote multidirectional communication, follow-up meetings will be organized periodically with the working groups for beef cattle, sheep and goats for meat, and the milk working group (cattle, goats, and sheep) established within the framework of the PRAN. |
In these meetings, action plans will be developed, for example, identifying infectious diseases with the greatest impact on antimicrobial consumption that are preventable with interventions such as the implementation of IPC measures and biosecurity.
A bank of good practice recommendations may also be created to support and advise the sector.
Another planned action is to design a training and/or awareness strategy for stakeholders, such as conducting courses or training sessions specific to the needs of the ruminant sector and creating educational or audiovisual materials to disseminate the needs and results.
| In short, the PRAN 2025-2027 represents a decisive step forward in improving animal health, promoting a responsible and sustainable use of antimicrobials.
This strategic plan not only strengthens disease prevention and control measures, but also contributes to safeguarding public health and the environment.
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Its success will depend on the commitment and close collaboration among all parties involved, thus consolidating a safer and more sustainable livestock sector for the future.
You may be interested in: Antimicrobial resistance in Spain: a key component of the European One Health approach
