The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea have signed a framework arrangement to conduct investigations into foodborne antimicrobial resistance from livestock.

The Republic of Korea will provide $10 million to conduct investigations and to monitor Codex Alimentarius international food standards.  The first project will focus on food standards and zoonotic diseases with specific reference to antimicrobial resistance in Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bolivia, and Columbia.

The Deputy Director-General of the FAO, Beth Bechdol commented “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important it is to boost international food safety standards to ensure our food keeps traveling safely across borders, safeguarding food and nutritional security.”

Jinseok Kim, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated “Without global collaboration we cannot overcome the difficulties due to the pandemic and I believe that is why we are here today to work together.”  He added, “It is our responsibility to support other countries and the most effective way to do this is through the FAO, the key player in food safety.”