Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce said antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or superbugs resistant to antibiotics, is a serious global problem that is a major public health issue worldwide.

“Minimising the development of resistance in livestock and companion animals is an important priority for industry,” Minister Joyce said.

The research project is led by Australian Pork Limited and plans to investigate the use of high-tech robots to define the low level of antimicrobial resistance risk in pigs and chickens within our supply chains.

The Minister for Agriculture said by using laboratory robots that can work quickly, precisely and cost-effectively, the project will develop an industry-wide approach to gather information to help farmers demonstrate their low AMR risk status, giving them a competitive advantage in the international marketplace.

“Specialised robots will be used to isolate, count and characterise large numbers of bacteria from animal faeces,” Minister Joyce said.

“The robots will be used to identify and grow thousands of individual bacteria to determine the presence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance at both the herd and national level,” he said.

“The project will help monitor on-farm control measures to reduce the presence of antimicrobial resistant organisms across pork and chicken meat industries, with the potential for the project to be used as a model in other animal sectors and for ongoing surveillance.

“Australia is a global leader in minimising risks of AMR spreading, due to the foresight of the government with industry not permitting the use of several antibiotic classes in livestock.”

Australian Pork Limited CEO, Mr Andrew Spencer, welcomed the Australian Government’s support for this project, which is significant for both humans and animals, and will demonstrate livestock industries as responsible citizens. 

While there is limited overlap in antimicrobials between human and animal products it is essential that all parts of the puzzle contribute to the solution.