The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Research and Development, Martin Heydon, T.D. today welcomed the EU call for Research Proposals under its International research programme (termed ERA-NET JPIAMR-ACTION). This research call specifically focuses on tackling the rising threat of antibiotic resistance, an issue of critical importance to the Agriculture, Food and Health sectors.
The call, supported by the European Commission, includes 30 funding organisations from 21 member countries and including commitments from the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine under its support for Research has a total estimated call budget is €24.9 million.
On drawing attention to this new Call, the Minister commented that “this call will lead to innovative interventions to control the development and transmission of antibiotic resistance in and/or between One Health settings.” He continued that “in order to successfully address AMR the primary goal of the agri-food sector must be to reduce antibiotic usage through maintaining the highest possible standards in animal health.”
The call invites eligible Research Performing Organisations to submit collaborative research proposals directed at addressing the issue. Through this research call, it is intended to create and reinforce the collaboration between research partners coming from different countries and different fields of expertise to promote research on antibiotic resistance.
Concluding, the Minister wished the applicants every success with their applications stating that “the new knowledge, technologies and innovations that will emerge from this Call to provide valuable evidence for policy development and useful tools to help us meet the targets set out in the European Green Deal. I have no doubt that the research and innovation community in Ireland will take full advantage of this opportunity by submitting excellent proposals."
Notes for editor:
JPIAMR is a global collaborative platform, engaging 28 member nations to curb antibiotic resistance (AMR) with a One Health approach. The initiative coordinates national funding to support transnational research and activities within the six priority areas of the shared JPIAMR Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda – therapeutics, diagnostics, surveillance, transmission, environment and interventions.
What is AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is resistance of a microorganism to a drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by that microorganism. Resistant microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial drugs, such as antibacterial drugs (e.g., antibiotics), anti-fungals, anti-virals, and anti-malarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist, increasing the risk of spread to others.
What does ‘One Health’ mean?
The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. Recognising that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, ‘One Health’ seeks to promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.