Antibiotics misuse in livestock poses serious risks: adviser

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock is fuelling antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, an emerging threat that could have serious implications for public health and human resources in the future, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has warned.

"We must be more conscious and responsible in our use of antibiotics," she said at the official inauguration of the 2025 workshop of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Regional Centre at the Eque Heritage Hotel and Resort in Saidpur yesterday.

Stressing the importance of protecting local poultry breeds, the adviser said, "Bangladesh is a geographically diverse country. We must safeguard our indigenous genetic resources by considering regional variations, identifying region-specific challenges, and addressing them through targeted interventions."

She noted the fisheries and livestock sectors play a critical role in achieving self-sufficiency.

"To ensure food security, we must also reduce dependency on imported feed ingredients by developing a self-reliant feed industry. Relying on imports may disrupt the stability of our food supply," Akhter said.

Also speaking at the event, Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, secretary of the fisheries and livestock ministry, echoed the concerns.

"When feed prices go up, the cost of poultry and eggs inevitably rises as well. Therefore, research on cost-effective feed management is essential," he said.

BLRI Director General Shakila Faruque noted that as Bangladesh transitions into a middle-income country, the demand for animal-based protein will increase significantly.

"To meet this growing demand, we must boost production, and there is no alternative to research for achieving that goal," she said.

She also said the BLRI continues to prioritise indigenous genetic resources in its research and development activities, ensuring that local assets are preserved and leveraged for sustainable growth in the sector.