Surrey vet school joins new European research partnership
The parternship will support research into issues such an antimicrobial resistance.
The University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Biosciences have joined the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUP AH&W).
Launched at the start of 2024, EUP AH&W aims to support research into the control of infectious animal diseases. It will also promote animal welfare and the careful use of medicines, with the aim of supporting a food system that is ‘fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly’.
The partnership is made up of 90 members from 24 countries and is being coordinated by Ghent University. As part of a One Health approach, research projects will focus on areas such as the zoonotic risk of diseases such as avian influenza, and reducing the use of antimicrobials.
A total budget of €360 million will be invested over seven years across the research institutions taking part. The partnership is being funded by the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, and EUP AH&W partner institutions.
Kamalan Jeevaratnam, head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “Our university has a long-standing commitment to the One Health, One Medicine ethos, and we are excited to share our expertise and learn from our partners.
“This collaboration underscores the UK's significant role in advancing the wellbeing of humans, animals, and our natural environment for a better future.”
Roberto La Ragione, the Surrey principal investigator and head of the School of Biosciences, added: “With the rising numbers of diseases in animals that are spreading to humans, the scientific community is waking up to the fact that animal health and welfare are inextricably linked to our own.
“I'm proud that our university is joining colleagues from across the country and Europe, so that we can not only share and tackle these issues at a large scale, but also find sustainable solutions that improve the wellbeing of the animals that we share this planet with.”
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