EU-JAMRAI 2 is a joint initiative of the European Union aimed at tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and related infections through the One Health approach. The project brings together authorities, experts, and stakeholders from across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. From Finland, the participating organizations are the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA), and the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto). Ruokavirasto contributes by developing animal disease prevention, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine, and advancing surveillance of resistance in pathogens causing infections in animals.
Objectives
The project provides up-to-date information and tools for the responsible use of antimicrobials. Ruokavirasto participates in developing guidelines and sharing best practices that support veterinarians and animal owners in everyday decision-making. In addition, the authority promotes surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and animal diseases, helping to identify regional and species-specific changes in antimicrobial susceptibility.
The project also strengthens national and international cooperation, for example through harmonized practices and training. EU-JAMRAI 2 supports Member States in developing and implementing national AMR action plans, with Ruokavirasto acting as a link between veterinarians, animal owners, and authorities.
Ruokavirasto’s specific objectives in the Project
- Organizing focus group interviews with veterinarians to collect information on key indications for antibiotic use in different animal species, current infection treatment practices, and infection prevention.
- Updating the Strangles Guide for horses, targeted at veterinarians and animal owners.
- Organizing training on responsible antimicrobial use and biosecurity for veterinarians, animal owners, and other professionals working with animals.
- Implementing a biannual training day for agricultural students at universities of applied sciences, focusing on animal disease prevention and responsible antimicrobial use in animals.
- Participating in the EARS-Vet network, which promotes harmonized surveillance and reporting of antimicrobial resistance in animal pathogens across Europe:
- Contributing to the development of the EARS-Vet guidelines and the design of common antimicrobial susceptibility testing panels.
- Reporting and evaluating antimicrobial susceptibility data of pathogens isolated from food-producing animals.
- Taking part in proficiency testing rounds.
- Contributing to the evaluation of One Health reporting in Finland.
- Participating in the development of European-wide guidelines for responsible antimicrobial use in animals.
Actions carried out within the Project
- In autumn 2025, a morning webinar series was organized for veterinarians and farmers, covering topics such as legislation on medication of food-producing animals, sampling in cattle health care, sampling in pig health care, and antimicrobial resistance from a One Health perspective.
- In October 2025, Ruokavirasto organized a workshop together with representatives from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and the Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) to draft European guidelines on responsible antimicrobial use in companion animals.
- The updated Strangles Guide for horses was published in November 2025.
- In November 2025, a training day for agricultural students at universities of applied sciences was held on animal disease prevention and combating antimicrobial resistance, in cooperation with Animal Health ETT. The next training day will take place on the 10th of February 2026.
- A webinar and a focus group interview for bovine veterinarians on preventing calf respiratory infections were organized in October 2025 in cooperation with the University of Helsinki.
- A webinar for small animal veterinarians on the use of antimicrobials in treating urinary and intestinal infections was organized in November 2025 in cooperation with the University of Helsinki. A focus group interview on infection prevention in small animals was also conducted.
- In December 2025, a webinar for small animal veterinarians on antibiotic use in surgical prophylaxis was organized in cooperation with the University of Helsinki. A focus group interview on infection prevention was held alongside the webinar.
- Participation in EARS-Vet activities.
- Participation in a national workshop in October 2025 to evaluate resistance surveillance in Finland from a One Health perspective.
Keywords
antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, infection control, disease prevention, biosecurity, One Health
Project lead
Chief specialist Jari Jalava, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Ruokavirasto project team
- Project manager Tarja Pohjanvirta, Laboratories and Research, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit
- Miia Kontturi, Laboratories and Research, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit
- Suvi Nykäsenoja, Laboratories and Research, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit
- Katja Hautala, Laboratories and Research, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit
Further information
Senior Researcher Katja Hautala, Laboratories and Research, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit Email: katja.hautala@ruokavirasto.fi | Tel. +358 50 309 9208
Partners
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA)
Project status
Ongoing
Duration
Start year: 2024. End year: 2027
Funding
The project is funded by EU4Health (EU4H) under HADEA. Project number: 101127787
