In a letter to UK Government’s trade minister Greg Hands, Mr McKee expressed concern that should this issue not be addressed in a future trade agreement with Japan, that will make it more challenging to progress the issue in other trade agreements with other countries.

AMR reduces the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics, to treat infections in humans and can arise from using antibiotics as growth promoters in agriculture.

The letter also seeks a commitment from the UK Government that they will continue to press for the inclusion of AMR in future trade agreements, including those with the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr McKee said: “Failure to secure a commitment in the UK-Japan FTA to tackling Anti-Microbial Resistance, which reduces the ability of antibiotics to tackle infections, would be a missed opportunity for the UK Government to show is serious about AMR in future negotiations.

“I would therefore like to seek your assurance that, in the event it is not included in the FTA itself, the UK Government will address AMR through other means, such as ambitious and effective side-letters with Japan. I would expect there to be meaningful engagement with devolved administrations to ensure that the proposed text meets our objectives.

“I would also like your assurance that the UK Government will push for AMR to be included in the relevant SPS chapter text of agreements with the USA, Australia and New Zealand as well as any future trade agreements.”