Network launched to combat AMR in UK's agrifood system
The network is due to receive around £650,000 in funding.
A new transdisciplinary project has been launched to improve understanding of how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) impacts the UK's agrifood system and to develop new ways to address the issue.
The newly established AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary (AMAST) Network counts the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Scotland's Rural College, and the University of Bristol among its leadership team.
The network's partners include the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Vet Sustain.
A series of interviews, workshops, and themed community meetings will be used to gather members' perspectives on the dangers of AMR, areas of opportunity that need to be prioritised, and where more research is needed.
The AMAST Network will receive approximately £650,000 over four years in funding from UK Research and Innovation, a public body sponsored by the government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
It is one of eight new networks that have been launched to combine different research specialisms, bringing experts from different fields together to work on the problem of AMR.
Lucy Brunton, a senior lecturer and RVC lead for the AMAST Network, said: “This is a really exciting initiative.
“The collective strength of experience and expertise among the transdisciplinary community that we are building will help us to more fully understand the challenges and opportunities to control antimicrobial resistance in agrifood compartments, such as in farming and livestock environments.
“I am delighted to help lead this network in meaningful engagement between research, industry and policy to understand the challenges of antimicrobial resistance in our agri-food systems.”
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