A Norwich-based research institute is leading a new UK-wide network exploring the impact of drug-resistant microbes in farming and food production.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to the medicines used to control them

It is seen as a major threat to world health - potentially reducing the ability of microbials such as antibiotics and antivirals to prevent or treat diseases in plants, animals and humans.

But a new national partnership of academics, scientists, agricultural industry bodies and government agencies is looking for ways to understand and tackle this problem.

The Quadram Institute, based at the Norwich Research Park, is part of the management team behind AMAST – the AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary Network.

Its membership is drawn from across the agrifood sector, and from different production systems including crops, livestock and aquaculture, from farm to fork. 

The Quadram Institute brings its own expertise in understanding the genomic basis of AMR within the food system.

The network will be co-ordinated by Dr Matthew Gilmour, based at the Quadram Institute, with an international expert advisory panel providing oversight. 

"We’re really excited to be part of this new community," he said.

"The agrifood system is incredibly complex with a diverse community of key players that are involved in the production of safe and nutritious foods. 

"So understanding the challenges of AMR requires a non-traditional approach that pulls together the whole community.

"Through our related work with the UK Food Safety Research Network, we’ve seen how a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach built with stakeholders can uncover innovative ways to combat complex problems like AMR."

AMAST will receive about £650,000 of funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to understand and tackle the challenge of AMR in the UK’s agrifood system.