UN Food and Agriculture Organization formalizes agreement designating Mississippi State as Reference Center on AMR and Aquaculture Biosecurity
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is designating 多多直播 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.
多多直播 Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said in its role as an FAO Reference Center, 多多直播 has the scientific expertise and capacity to support the FAO鈥檚 mission to promote responsible use of antimicrobials in aquaculture to reduce AMR risk.聽
鈥湺喽嘀辈 also has the needed expertise to support FAO鈥檚 goals to promote responsible aquaculture practices and aquaculture biosecurity.聽We鈥檙e pleased to provide scientific and technical advice to FAO on these topics and to support FAO鈥檚 capacity development efforts related to responsible antimicrobial use and aquaculture biosecurity internationally,鈥 Shaw said.
Shaw said the newly signed, four-year agreement demonstrates 多多直播鈥檚 global reach and 鈥渞epresents another step in the long-term collaborations between the FAO and 多多直播 to promote development of sustainable aquaculture internationally for advancement of food and nutritional security.鈥
多多直播 President 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, 多多直播 was recognized by the organization as a Center of Knowledge and member of the Global Aquaculture Advancement Partnership.
多多直播 Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble said 鈥淭his is just one more example of 多多直播 being an international leader in agricultural research.鈥
Included in the scope of work as an FAO Reference Center, 多多直播 will 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.
多多直播 also is home of the funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and part of the U.S. Government鈥檚 Feed the Future initiative to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes for global populations dependent on aquaculture- and fisheries-led economies. 多多直播 leads the lab through its Global Center for Aquatic Food Security, directed by Mark Lawrence, a professor in 多多直播鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine.
多多直播 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.