TL;DR: The TRANSFORM project, supported by USAID, grows as global poultry groups join to promote sustainable antimicrobial use and combat antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture.
Expanding Membership
A rising number of poultry organisations worldwide have become part of the TRANSFORM project, supported by USAID. This initiative seeks to reduce risks and enhance sustainability in farm outputs.
Sustainable Practices
The project emphasises responsible antimicrobial use in the global poultry industry, urging producers to adopt these practices conscientiously. The International Poultry Council (IPC), the project’s creator, aims to incite change across animal agriculture.
Corporate Commitment
“Adopting science-based antimicrobial principles is good business,” states Ricardo Santin, IPC President. He encourages more organisations to commit to these practices, which improve animal health and profitability.
New Members
Recently, seven organisations embraced the IPC’s principles, including:
- AVEC – Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU Countries
- BTT – a Hungarian poultry association
- BVG – a German poultry association
- FIA – a French poultry industry federation
- Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa – Izba Gospodarcza, Poland’s National Poultry Council
- NEPLUVI – a Dutch poultry association
- Yum! Brands
These additions bring the total to 26 organisations, representing 40% of the global poultry meat products across over 140 countries.
Core Principles
The project’s principles include:
- Using a risk-based approach to antimicrobial use.
- Adopting management practices to reduce antimicrobial reliance.
- Ensuring compliance with national antimicrobial regulations.
- Utilising antimicrobials critically important for human medicine only under veterinary supervision.
Global Response to AMR
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a global response to keep antibiotics viable for treating diseases in animals and humans,” says Annie Kneedler, head of the TRANSFORM project. The initiative seeks market-driven solutions to improve animal health and manage disease risks.
Ongoing Initiatives
Led by Cargill, Heifer International, and the IPC, the project operates in Kenya, India, and Vietnam, focusing on global health security. It includes 22 trials studying the impact of animal nutrition on pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
New Stakeholders
In November 2023, McDonald’s Corp. and Tyson Foods joined the project, broadening its industry impact.
