Robots to help Exterminate AMR risk in livestock
Australia Pork Limited will receive almost $1.3 million under Round 3 of the Rural Research and Development (R&D) for Profit program.
•Robots will define antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on pig and chicken farms.
•The project will support trade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce said the Coalition Government was providing almost $1.3 million to Australian Pork Limited under the Rural R&D for Profit program to boost Australia’s trade reputation by demonstrating the low antimicrobial resistance status of our farm produce.
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or superbugs resistant to antibiotics, is a serious global problem that is a major public health issue worldwide,” Minister Joyce said.
•The Rural R&D for Profit program funds projects that address the government’s rural RD&E priorities: advanced technology, biosecurity, managing natural resources, as well as promoting industry and on-farm adoption of R&D.
•The $180.5 million Rural R&D for Profit program is on top of around $700 million that the government already invests in rural R&D each year.
•The export value of the Australian chicken meat industry was $47 million for the 2015-2016 financial year and $128 million for the pig meat industry.
•The World Health Organisation has described AMR as a looming crisis in which common and treatable infections are becoming life threatening.
•The Australian Government released its first National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015-2019 to guide Australia’s response to the threat of antibiotic misuse and resistance
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Image Source - US Department of Agriculture