Code
DOCT/008607
Duration
01 February 2023 → 21 September 2025 (Ongoing)
Doctoral researcher
Research disciplines
-
Natural sciences
- Parasitology
-
Agricultural and food sciences
- Veterinary medicine not elsewhere classified
Keywords
small ruminants
anthelmintic resistance
sustainable worm control
Project description
Worm infections are a major cause of production losses in sheep and goat farming in Greece. Worm prevention largely relies on preventive treatment with anthelmintics. As a result, anthelmintic resistance (AR) has become a real problem. Only fragmented data are available on the epidemiology of AR in Greece. This project will investigate how widespread AR is in small ruminants and which worm species are resistant to which anthelmintics, in the regions with the largest sheep and goat populations. Based on the AR profile of worm populations in the regions concerned, advice can be given on more sustainable control strategies, combining targeted use of anthelmintics with grazing management and/or the use of neutraceuticals. These sustainable worm control practices will be validated on a number of pilot farms, within the framework of the EU Thematic Network SPARC.