Today Rupert Matthews MEP attended an exhibition at the European Parliament highlighting the dangers to health of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). The ability of microbes to resist antibiotics is of increasing concern to doctors and researchers. This exhibition is part of a drive to increase awareness of the issue and gain support for new measures to tackle the problem.
Speaking after attending the exhibition, Rupert Matthews said "I am taking the lead for the Conservatives on this issue in the ITRE committee. I have been emphasising the need for data sharing between the different bodies involved as well as an effective balance between laboratory work, prevention and treatment. This is a world wide issue that needs to be approached in an holistic fashion. Diseases are increasingly able to cross the species barrier so AMR in animals could very soon be a real threat to human health. I hope that our work here will soon result in real health benefits for the public."