WOAH launches REASONS Project to tackle antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture

SOUTH AMERICA – The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has launched a new initiative to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in freshwater aquaculture by improving access to alternatives to antibiotics, including vaccines, probiotics, and bacteriophages. 

The REASONS Project, short for impRoved accEss And legiSlation tO veteriNary productS, officially began last month in Bogotá, Colombia, where national authorities, researchers, producers, and manufacturers convened to craft solutions tailored to local realities.

WOAH plans to extend the project to Brazil and Mexico, using the same participatory model to ensure that interventions respond to country-specific needs. 

Supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Aquaculture (CASA) and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the initiative underscores the urgent need to address AMR through innovation and collective action.

Confronting a global health threat

Antimicrobial resistance has been described as one of the greatest threats to both animal and human health. 

In aquaculture, antibiotics are frequently used to manage bacterial diseases, but their effectiveness is being eroded by growing resistance, limited diagnostic accuracy, and the scarcity of registered veterinary products for aquatic animals.

“REASONS represents a key opportunity to foster a more sustainable, equitable and resilient aquaculture in the face of the global threat of antimicrobial resistance,” said Dr. Viviana Zamora Pineda, deputy manager of animal protection at the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) and Colombian Delegate to WOAH. 

“Boosting access to effective alternatives not only improves animal health, but also strengthens local value chains and reduces public health risks.”

Alternatives such as vaccines, probiotics, and phages offer promising pathways for disease prevention and treatment, but their adoption has been hindered by technical, regulatory, logistical, and economic barriers. 

For species with low commercial value, for example, the cost of vaccines often discourages producers from using them.

Building inclusive and sustainable solutions

Beyond scientific and regulatory challenges, the REASONS Project seeks to address social inequalities in access to veterinary products. 

Women make up about 70% of the global aquaculture workforce, many working as small-scale entrepreneurs with limited mobility and access to veterinary services. Ensuring gender-responsive approaches is therefore a central goal of the initiative.

The three-year program will identify technical and institutional obstacles, propose concrete solutions adapted to each country, and develop joint action plans that bring together regulators, researchers, manufacturers, and producers. 

By strengthening veterinary legislation and improving access to alternative products, the project aims to promote sustainable disease control while safeguarding livelihoods and public health.

For WOAH, the REASONS Project aligns with its broader mission of supporting animal health systems, setting global standards, and advancing a One Health approach that recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.

“Together, we can protect animal health, safeguard livelihoods, and reduce public health risks,” WOAH emphasised in announcing the launch.

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