Context
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi) change after exposition to antimicrobial drugs. This phenomenon has always been present, however, in the last years has been accentuated by the spread of human infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. For all these reasons it is consider one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development that require action across all government sectors and society. However, antibiotics remain an indispensable treatment for human and veterinary medicine, provided that it should never be used inappropriately (amount used is too small or over an insufficient period of time) and without prior and correct diagnosis. Beef production is the third largest meat industry behind swine and poultry and it is considered the main responsible of this problem with consequential situation of weakness on beef production’s industry. Antimicrobials are used in beef cattle at any production stage for therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes. European Union established that fight against antimicrobial resistance is one of the main challenges of public health and it is possible reducing the exposure of animals to veterinary antibiotics in intensive livestock farms. Since 2011, EU spread an action plan with the principal aim to improve the knowledge and system of monitoring antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance from animal bacteria to human bacteria. This could be achieved improving farmer’s responsibility regarding the impact of antibiotics use, developing alternatives to these substances and ensuring to consumers of GDO final products quality (as example the creation of a new type of antibiotic-free product).
Objectives
The main goal of the project is to increase the profitability of the beef industry by: i) decreasing costs related to the use of antibiotics, (ii) improving animal welfare and biosafety under rearing conditions, (iii) producing a new type of beef product ('antibiotic free'), (iv) requalifying the beef industry image towards public opinion. In particular, animal welfare and biosafety, can be improved across the investigation of new management practices, dietary supplementation and strategies, in order to establish an efficient alternative to the antibiotic use.
Objectives
L'obiettivo primario del progetto è quello di migliorare la redditività delle aziende zootecniche specializzate nella produzione del bovino da carne: (i) aumentando la redditività degli allevatori, riducendo i costi legati all'uso di antibiotici e contribuendo alla realizzazione di una nuova tipologia di prodotto "antibiotic-free", (ii) identificando delle strategie per l'eliminazione dell'utilizzo di antibiotici, (iii) migliorando le condizioni di benessere e della biosicurezza negli allevamenti, (iv) accrescendo la sensibilità degli allevatori e riqualificando il settore delle carni rosse nei riguardi dell'opinione pubblica.
Activities
The overall aim of the project is to enhance the profitability of farmers and reduce the use of antibiotic. The following activities will be carried out: (i) study of the use of antibiotics in the beef farms of the Veneto region (ii) study of innovative welfare, feeding and management condition to reduce the use of antibiotics (iii) identification and implementation of guidelines for the production of antibiotic free beef.
Activities
L'obiettivo primario del progetto è quello di aumentare la reddività delle aziende agricole attraverso una riduzione dell'utilizzo degli antibiotici; le principali attività che saranno svolte riguarderanno: (i) lo studio dell'attuale utilizzo degli antibiotici negli allevamenti del vitellone da carne in Veneto (ii) individuare le migliori pratiche gestionali, di benessere degli animali e biosicurezza degli allevamenti e di razionamento per ridurre l'utilizzo di antibiotici (iii) identificare e implementare un disciplinare per la produzione di una carne antibiotic free.
Additional information
Beef industry is complex and involve different stages, since calves are birthed, raised, fed for slaughter and to processed for meat. Antimicrobials are used in beef cattle. In accord with the objective of PEI-AGRI, this project had the purposes to promote good practise and reduce antibiotics use in intensive livestock farming of the Veneto Region in order to increase their profitability. The activities of this project will focus on coordination of the activities and the dissemination of the results. Following the administrative organization and the definition of collaboration among partners of the project, the activities will focus on the transfer and dissemination of knowledge, to create a network that brings innovation and new opportunities in local rural areas.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014IT06RDRP014 Italy - Rural Development Programme (Regional) - Veneto
Location
- Main geographical location
- Padova
EUR 560368.23
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Resources
Audiovisual materials
2 Practice Abstracts
Contacts
Project coordinator
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Giuseppe Borin
Project coordinator
Project partners
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IRECOOP Veneto - Istituto Regionale per l'educazione agli studi cooperativi
Project partner
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Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'emilia romagna "B. Ubertini"
Project partner
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Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie
Project partner
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Massimo De Marchi
Project partner