This research will identify robust and measurable surveillance indicators and methodologies for environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

It is building on existing knowledge from clinical and animal AMR indicators and methodologies in the context of a multi-sectoral, ‘one health’ approach.

Funded by the Medical Research Council,  the project brings together key researchers with policy makers and regulators across the environmental, human health and veterinary sectors to create an international network from countries with a wide range of economic settings.

There is an urgent and increasing need to fully understand the development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance both into and within the wider environment. However, at present research into environmental aspects of AMR has been largely confined to individual institutions or academic laboratories.

Whilst there is national government and international body recognition of the need to establish effective environmental surveillance systems, there is no clear consensus so far regarding which indicators to measure for the environmental sector.

Our aim is to arrive at a standardised set of targets and reproducible, accessible methodologies allowing comparative data to be generated in a coordinated manner.

We will then set out our findings in advice and briefings to governments and international bodies.