UN Food and Agriculture Organization formalizes agreement designating Mississippi State as Reference Center on AMR and Aquaculture Biosecurity
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is designating 鶹ýAV as an FAO Reference Center on AMR and Aquaculture Biosecurity.
The university has a long history of leading expertise in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture and previously has collaborated with the FAO in the areas of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMU/AMR), as well as aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health.
鶹ýAVProvost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said in its role as an FAO Reference Center, 鶹ýAVhas the scientific expertise and capacity to support the FAO’s mission to promote responsible use of antimicrobials in aquaculture to reduce AMR risk.
“鶹ýAValso has the needed expertise to support FAO’s goals to promote responsible aquaculture practices and aquaculture biosecurity. We’re pleased to provide scientific and technical advice to FAO on these topics and to support FAO’s capacity development efforts related to responsible antimicrobial use and aquaculture biosecurity internationally,” Shaw said.
Shaw said the newly signed, four-year agreement demonstrates MSU’s global reach and “represents another step in the long-term collaborations between the FAO and 鶹ýAVto promote development of sustainable aquaculture internationally for advancement of food and nutritional security.”
鶹ýAVPresident Mark E. Keenum has made food security a central focus of his tenure, and the university has increased its partnership work with the FAO over the last decade. In 2014, 鶹ýAVwas recognized by the organization as a Center of Knowledge and member of the Global Aquaculture Advancement Partnership.
鶹ýAVVice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble said “This is just one more example of 鶹ýAVbeing an international leader in agricultural research.”
Included in the scope of work as an FAO Reference Center, 鶹ýAVwill work to raise awareness about AMR, support developing capacity for surveillance of AMU, AMR and residues, support strengthening governance related to AMU/AMR and aquaculture biosecurity, promote responsible aquaculture practices and prudent use of antimicrobials, among other activities.
鶹ýAValso is home of the funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and part of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes for global populations dependent on aquaculture- and fisheries-led economies. 鶹ýAVleads the lab through its Global Center for Aquatic Food Security, directed by Mark Lawrence, a professor in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
鶹ýAVis Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.