Kenchic Limited has been recognized by the International Poultry Council (IPC) as the inaugural African business to effectively implement the council’s antimicrobial stewardship standards. This acknowledgement underscores Kenchic’s unwavering commitment to environmentally friendly practices and ethical chicken farming.
The IPC, lauded Kenchic Limited, alongside eighteen other private sector companies, for aligning with the council’s antimicrobial use stewardship standards. These standards were established as part of the USAID-funded Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation (TRANSFORM), an initiative spearheaded by Cargill.
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The primary objective of the standards is to prevent the unnecessary use of antimicrobials and, when necessary, ensure their responsible use in accordance with stewardship principles.
Jim Tozer, the Managing Director of Kenchic Ltd, conveyed the company’s dedication to contributing to a safer, healthier food supply chain for consumers. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with seven other international institutions to address the global concern of antibiotic resistance, which poses a threat to the effectiveness of common medications and advancements in modern medicine.
“This collaborative effort extends beyond Kenchic Ltd, involving six groups and two corporations representing over 30.0% of the world’s grill output. Leaders from Kenya, Brazil, Italy, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Colombia have united to restrict the global use of antibiotics, emphasizing a shared responsibility for tackling this critical issue, he said.
Kenchic’s commitment to ethical business practices is further demonstrated through its participation in the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme. By aligning with the initiatives of the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenchic supports the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
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The company’s involvement in the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Interagency Committee (NASIC) underscores the significance of cooperative efforts in achieving common health goals.
Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock, emphasized the gravity of AMR as one of the most pressing global issues. “There is necessity for coordinated multisectoral actions at both national and international levels,” Mueke said.
Kenchic Ltd serves as a beacon of responsible practices, inspiring the industry to prioritize the well-being of both consumers and the environment.