HealthyLivestock: Tackling antimicrobial resistance through improved livestock health and welfare

Academia, research institutes, private partners and companies decided to join forces for a better health and welfare of pigs and poultry. A key pillar of the project is disease prevention. This combined, in case still necessary, with prompt and targeted interventions, will result in a reduced use of antimicrobials and less AMR: a clear win-win for animals and people.

HealthyLivestock has chosen to tackle antimicrobial resistance at its roots. Through a multidisciplinary approach it will lead to:

• a reduction of the risk for anima ls to get exposed to disease agents;
• an increased resilience of the animals towards disease challenges ;
• an early detection of health problems and specific diseases;
• and if antimicrobials are needed , a more precise use or alternatives.

Special tools to he lp farmers will be developed. The outcome of HealthyLivest ock research will be conveyed to all relevant parties: to farmers and veterinarians on the farm, but also to animal welfare organisations, politicians and decision makers, companies, etc.

Healthy Livestock is coordinated by Wageningen Research. The project will last 4 years. The European part is funded by the European Commission. The Chinese part is funded by the Chinese M inistry of Science and Technology.