USDA has announced the availability of $6 million to fund research to address antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to better understand how antibiotic resistance develops, find alternatives and educate people on how to reduce the need for antibiotics. National Pork Producers Council Chief Veterinarian Liz Wagstrom says they support this effort and are also asking for additional dollars to fund antibiotic resistance research in livestock to get on par with human research in this area.

Wagstrom says this research is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and is part of the Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria or CARB National Action Plan rolled out by the White House. It specifically promotes sustainable food safety strategies that reduce public health risks from producer to consumer.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the research projects funded through the announcement will help the industry succeed in its efforts to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and protect public health.