Memorandum reaffirms Chile's leadership in promoting responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices.
Last week the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was finalized with the International Collaboration for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) marking the start of the project led by the National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca) for the implementation of a surveillance, alert and response system for the use of antimicrobials, which constitutes an important step in strengthening more sustainable production.
The National Director of Sernapesca, Soledad Tapia Almonacid, highlights that: "For us as the Service, it is very important to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the International Collaboration for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), a prestigious Danish institution that stands out for its work in the search for scientific and collaborative solutions to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)."
He added that "this project lasts four years and will allow us to have a surveillance, alert and response system regarding the use of antimicrobials, where we will work with leading national research institutions seeking to establish science-based measures aimed at significantly reducing the use of antimicrobials in the salmon farming industry to establish better practices."
This initiative is part of the National Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance and is aligned with the principles of the global strategy "One Health", which recognizes that human health, animal health and environmental health cannot be separated, therefore the use of antimicrobials is addressed in an integrated way to reduce resistance to them and ensure they do not lose their effectiveness in treating diseases, which is driven by the quadruple alliance formed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The signing of this memorandum reaffirms Chile's leadership in promoting responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices, positioning the country as a reference in the fight against antimicrobial resistance in animal production, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Responsible Production and Consumption, Life Below Water and Strategic Partnerships.
The National Director of Sernapesca thanked ICARS for its trust and cooperation in this joint effort, which represents an important milestone in public-private partnerships aimed at reducing the use of antimicrobials in salmon farming, in a cross-cutting commitment to sustainability and aquatic health.
