Public Research Universities and Veterinary Medical College Task Force Praises White House Plan to Address Antibiotic Resistance

Washington, DC – Dr. Lonnie King, chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) /Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture today released the following statement on the unveiling of the Obama administration’s plan to address antibiotic resistance.

“The APLU/AAVMC Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture applauds the White House’s plan to prevent and contain antibiotic resistant infections. This is a serious public health issue that warrants this type of comprehensive response that will engage the scientific expertise of researchers and educators at our nation’s land-grant universities and veterinary colleges.

“In releasing its plan, the White House appropriately acknowledged the need for increased research that will help better understand how bacteria function and evolve and the new drugs that will be needed to combat them. It also acknowledged the importance of agriculture as an essential partner in implementing a national strategy. Our task force, which has involved observers from key federal agencies, has been working to help identify and guide the federal government’s research agenda as we look for solutions to address antimicrobial resistance in production agriculture. Moving forward, land-grant universities will also play a key role in helping to better inform producers, veterinarians, and the general public about antibiotic resistance and the appropriate responses.”

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing 238 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations. Founded in 1887, APLU is North America’s oldest higher education association with member institutions in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, Canada, and Mexico. Annually, APLU member campuses enroll 4.7 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.1 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct more than $41 billion in university-based research.

AAVMC is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Members include all 35 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, eight departments of veterinary science, seven departments of comparative medicine, 14 international colleges of veterinary medicine, and six affiliate colleges of veterinary medicine.