Investors urge food companies to reevaluate antibiotic use amidst rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concerns.
- A significant 70% of antibiotics are currently utilised by animals, raising alarms among campaigners.
- The World Health Organisation links AMR to nearly 5 million global deaths and massive economic losses.
- The Fairr initiative mobilises 370 investors with $71 trillion, targeting major food companies.
- AMR now seen as a formidable global health threat, potentially rivaling climate change.
Investors are increasingly pressing food companies to reassess their use of antibiotics within supply chains due to mounting concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This critical issue is drawing comparisons to the climate crisis in terms of its threat to global health.
Presently, approximately 70% of all antibiotics are consumed by animals, primarily to prevent disease. This statistic has put companies involved in large-scale meat production under intense scrutiny by campaigners determined to tackle the problem.
According to the World Health Organisation, AMR is associated with almost 5 million deaths worldwide each year. The economic impact is equally alarming, with AMR-related losses totalling $100 trillion.
In response, the Fairr initiative was established, backed by around 370 investors across the globe managing assets worth a combined $71 trillion. The initiative has been focusing on the antibiotic use practices of 12 major North American fast-food chains.
These chains include prominent names such as McDonald’s and Yum Brands, which own KFC and Pizza Hut, as well as Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King. McDonald’s has taken steps to limit antibiotic use in their supply chain, specifically prohibiting the routine use of antibiotics that are important for human medicine. Restaurant Brands International has echoed the sentiment by committing to responsible and sustainable sourcing practices.
Dame Sally Davies, the UK government’s special envoy on AMR, emphasised the power of investors over politicians in addressing AMR challenges. Speaking to The Financial Times, she highlighted the significant influence investors wield in this realm.
Sophie Deleuze from the asset management company Candriam underscored the importance of analysing companies’ policies on antibiotic use. Her evaluations extend to the support and encouragement companies provide to suppliers in seeking sustainable alternatives to combat AMR.
Recent reports have highlighted troubling conditions in farms supplying to major supermarkets. Activists have accused these farms of leaving animals in deplorable conditions, spotlighting the urgent need for reform. At the same time, there are calls for supermarkets to bolster their support for local UK farmers, urging the introduction of ‘Buy British’ sections online.
The push from investors marks a pivotal shift in addressing AMR, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices in food production.
