Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to human and animal health; it endangers modern human and veterinary medicine and undermines the safety of our food and environment. Antimicrobials play a critical role in the treatment of diseases of farm animals (aquatic and terrestrial) and plants, and therefore their effectiveness must be preserved. Their use is essential to food security, our well-being and to animal welfare.

The misuse of antimicrobials increases the rate of emergence and spread of resistant organisms, placing both human and animals at risk. To support implementation of FAO Resolution 4/2015, which recognized the serious threat presented by AMR, FAO has developed an action plan (2021-2025) which addresses focal areas of activity to address this threat, including raising awareness, increasing capacity for surveillance and monitoring, and the promotion of good practices in food and agricultural systems, including antimicrobial use.

In this regard, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI) and Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute (PRFRI) of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (China), Nitte University (India) and the Mississippi State University (USA) are proposed for designation as "FAO Reference Centre on AMR and Aquaculture Biosecurity".

During this virtual event, speakers from the above FAO candidate reference centers will present and share their knowledge on AMR and aquaculture biosecurity to increase the understanding of overview and current status of knowledge on AMR and its mitigation measures in aquaculture.

Link to programme and presentations can be found here.

Information: Melba.Reantaso@fao.org; Hao.Bin@fao.org