ENVIRE

Project title:  Interventions to control the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance from chickens through the environment (ENVIRE)

Duration: 1.05.2022 - 30.04.2025
Project Budget: 1 032 767 EUR
Budget for UPWr:  247 800 EUR
Project Coordinator:  Dr Marta Kuźmińska-Bajor

Abstract:
The overall objective of the project ENVIRE is to contribute to the reduction of the selection and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in broiler chickens and from chicken farms to the environment, and ultimately to humans. During different intervention studies  the potential of various on-farm measures is investigated including: i) Antibiotic-free chicken raising, ii) Phytotherapy as alternative for antibiotics, iii) E. coli vaccination, iv) Application of viruses naturally combating bacteria (bacteriophages), v) Treatment or storage of manure, vi) Depollution of farm effluents to remove antibiotics and their residues. Within the project, experimental studies are accompanied by field studies. The research is focused on Escherichia coli and other representatives of Enterobacteriaceae family, and on resistance against commonly used antibiotics as well as the “last hope” antibiotic named colistin. On the basis of the project’s outcomes, a quantitative risk assessment model will also be developed, which is intended to be used to assess the effectiveness as well as potential synergistic effects of the interventions as a way to reduce human exposure to drug-resistant strains via the foodborne, occupational and environmental pathways. Data already available for the participating countries will be included in the model, and new, essential data will be generated within the studies.

The project will be carried out by six working groups:

• a group from Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
• a group from Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Germany
• a group from French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Lyon, France
• a group from Veterinary Academy of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania
• a group from UPWr’s Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Poland
• a group from University of Sousse, Tunisia

www.envire-project.de

The ENVIRE project no. 2021/03/Y/NZ7/00138 has been supported by National Science Centre,  under the framework of JPIAMR-ACTION GA no 963864.