Cranfield is part of a UK-wide network that has secured new investment to take practical action on microbial resistance.
The AMAST (Antimicrobial Resistance in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary) Network brings together farmers, veterinarians, industry, researchers and policymakers. The funding will enable a five-year programme focused on developing and testing practical approaches to antimicrobial stewardship across UK food production.
Ruben Sakrabani, Professor of Soil Chemistry at Cranfield University, said: “The AMAST network has been working hard to address key questions concerning antimicrobial resistance. This funding will allow us to take practical steps that will make a real-world difference for those in the agrifood sector.
“AMAST Phase 2 is a funding boost as part of a £54 million investment from UK Government and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), focused on 18 projects that tackle a range of biosecurity threats.
“Cranfield’s role will be to provide input in assessing the role of soil within the agrifood system to determine pathways for AMR transmissions to the wider environment.”
AMAST project lead Dr Matthew Gilmour of the Quadram Institute, commented, “UK agriculture has already made major progress on antibiotic stewardship. The next gains will not come from simply telling farmers and vets to use less; they will come from solving the real problems that still drive antimicrobial use: disease pressure, availability of alternative medicines, diagnostic uncertainty, data gaps, economics and trust.”
UK agriculture has already made major progress in reducing antimicrobial use while protecting animal health and productivity. The new programme will focus on some of the harder remaining challenges and on turning evidence and sector experience into approaches that can work in everyday practice.
