FARM interventions to Control Antimicrobial ResistancE

The main FARM-CARE project focuses on exploring techniques for controlling the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pig farms. Pigs are the main contributor to antimicrobial use (AMU) in farm animals and a recognized source of AMR to farm workers, the community and the environment. The project builds upon the established notion that stress is a major driver for pig disease, which in turn contributes to AMU.

Our hypothesis is that AMR spread can be controlled by firstly limiting the common practice of mixing, which is a recognized cause of stress and disease in pigs, and secondly, by applying biosecurity measures to prevent AMR transmission to farm workers and the community. We aim to understand the impact of these two interventions on AMU and AMR reduction, and to develop two complementary interventions based on machine learning.

The project will assess the cost-effectiveness of each intervention from the perspective of the farmers, the environment and the wider society. The UK team will focus on detecting high-risk piglets using facial imaging and exploring patterns in metagenomics and metadata associated with post-weaning diarrhoea.

FARM-CARE is a multi-actor project involving three higher education institutions, three public organisations, and one private company with established national and international networks that will facilitate dissemination and stakeholder involvement. Each partner brings one or more areas of expertise with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Participation by an LMIC partner, that represents over 90% of pig farmers in Colombia, will allow assessment of the farm interventions in a different production setting and offer capacity building in this country.