Photo: PID

DHAKA, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock 
Sultan Salauddin Tuku today stressed the need for coordinated efforts to 
prevent the irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals, saying it is 
essential for ensuring food security and protecting public health.

"Ensuring food security is one of the government's top priorities. To achieve 
this goal, collective initiatives are necessary to curb the tendency of 
irrational antibiotic use that poses risks to both human and animal health," 
he said.

The state minister said this while addressing an awareness workshop on the 
implementation of the Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Guideline (VAG) as 
the chief guest at a city hotel in the capital.

Tuku said unnecessary use of antibiotics weakens the human body's ability to 
combat diseases and may create serious public health risks. Similar misuse in 
the livestock sector also has harmful long-term consequences, he added.

He noted that many marginal farmers often use antibiotics in the hope of 
immediate disease treatment without being fully aware of their long-term 
adverse effects, making the lack of awareness a major challenge.

Highlighting the role of veterinary professionals, the state minister said 
that the use of antibiotics without the advice of a veterinarian must be 
discouraged. He also called on livestock officials at district and upazila 
levels to strengthen monitoring and conduct awareness activities on the 
issue.

"If we can work together through an integrated chain involving veterinarians, 
field-level officials and farmers, the success achieved in Barishal can be 
replicated in other parts of the country," he continued.

Tuku urged all stakeholders to work jointly with the government to ensure 
food safety and the production of safe animal-origin food.

The workshop was organised by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) with 
support from the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund (AMR MPTF) 
project.

Chaired by Director General (DG) of the Department of Livestock Services Md 
Shahjaman Khan, it was also addressed by Fisheries and Livestock Ministry 
Secretary Md Delwar Hossain and Chief Veterinary Officer of Bangladesh Dr Md 
Boyzar Rahman.

National AMR Consultant of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Dr 
Md Habibur Rahman presented the keynote paper on antimicrobial stewardship.

Senior officials and representatives from the Fisheries and Livestock 
Ministry, the Department of Livestock Services, the World Health Organization 
(WHO), the WOAH, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other 
government and non-government organisations were present.