Mississippi State University (MSU), which is also the home of the fish lab for the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative, has previously collaborated with the FAO in the areas of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMU/AMR), and aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health.

Making food security a central topic of research, MSU has increased its partnership with the FAO over the past ten years. In 2014, MSU was recognized by the organization as a Center of Knowledge and a member of the Global Aquaculture Advancement Partnership.

Designed as Reference Center with a four-year agreement represents another step in the collaboration between the FAO and MSU to promote the development of sustainable aquaculture internationally for the advancement of food and nutritional security.

MSU will work to raise awareness about AMR, support developing capacity for surveillance of AMU, AMR, and residues, support strengthening governance related to AMU/AMR and aquaculture biosecurity, promote responsible aquaculture practices and prudent use of antimicrobials, among other activities.

“MSU also has the needed expertise to support FAO’s goals to promote responsible aquaculture practices and aquaculture biosecurity. We’re pleased to provide scientific and technical advice to FAO on these topics and support FAO’s capacity development efforts related to responsible antimicrobial use and aquaculture biosecurity internationally,” said David Shaw, MSU provost, and executive vice president.

“This is just one more example of MSU being an international leader in agricultural research,” said Keith Coble MSU’s vice president for the division of agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine.