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The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) possesses in-depth knowledge of the management practices and technologies associated with animal, plant, and environmental health, as well as food safety. As such, ARS is uniquely positioned to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge around antimicrobial resistance (AMR). ARS will optimize its own efforts and harness the work of essential stakeholders and partners to understand, detect, and mitigate AMR that can harm agricultural and public health.
Mitigation strategies include development of alternatives to antibiotics (ATA) for use in agricultural settings. ATA are broadly defined as any substance that can be substituted for therapeutic drugs that are increasingly becoming ineffective against pathogenic bacteria. Some examples of ATA include bacteriophages, pre- and pro- biotics, small interfering RNAs, and vaccines.
There is a critical need to develop innovative strategies and tools that mitigate AMR of critical importance to animal and plant health and to food safety. ARS will take a comprehensive, integrated approach for future AMR priorities which will provide and disseminate innovative, equitable, and sustainable AMR solutions.
