EU Harmonised Survey of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) on retail meats (pork and beef/chicken)

<p>As the UK Competent Authority, the FSA is undertaking this survey on behalf of the EC and as such, must adhere to the Commission’s Decision in relation to scope, sampling methodology, analytical methods, and reporting of data. Whilst the survey actually runs from 2014 to 2020, there is no requirement to take retail samples for AMR in the first year. The sampling regimes are outlined below: 300 beef and 300 pork retail samples to be collected/tested in 2015, 2017 and 2019. 300 poultry meat retail samples to be collected/tested in 2016, 2017 and 2020. Sampling will represent 80% retail market share and 80% population coverage of the four countries of the UK; sampled proportionally throughout the full year. Analysis will require initial isolation and enrichment of E. coli from all meat samples, prior to testing for AMR E. coli (i.e. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC and Carbapenemase-producing). Analysis will be performed in a step-wise process against a two-tier panel of antimicrobial agents depending on presence of positive isolates. Data collected by the testing facility will be submitted to the EC on an annual basis in May following each year of completion; aggregated to UK datasets with no identification of retail names or product brands.</p>