Private Laboratories Initiative (PLI): strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance in animals
The PLI is a government-led initiative, working with private veterinary laboratories to bring together antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data from diagnostic testing of sick animals
The Private Laboratories Initiative
The Private Laboratories Initiative (PLI) is a government programme aimed at strengthening surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals in the UK. Led by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), it works in partnership with private veterinary laboratories to make better use of diagnostic data that are not routinely captured by existing government surveillance systems.
Why is the PLI needed
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as a major threat to global health. Bacteria carrying resistance genes spread between, people, animals, food, and the environment and so a One Health approach to tackling AMR is needed. In the UK animal health sector, much of the diagnostic testing for AMR in bacteria affecting animals is conducted by private veterinary laboratories (PVLs). This data is not routinely captured within existing government surveillance programmes, a gap which limits national understanding of AMR in animals and reduces the UK’s ability to identify trends, assess risks, and detect emerging resistance threats.
The PLI was established to address this gap by improving the sharing of AMR data held by PVLs with government. The project aims to identify where and how much AMR data is generated, what types of data are collected, and the methodologies used. We seek to assess and improve the suitability of this data for inclusion in national AMR surveillance.
The PLI supports the UK’s One Health AMR objectives, as outlined in the UK National Action Plan to contain and control AMR through optimised surveillance. It also helps address the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee, which highlight the need for better data collection, sharing and analysis in AMR across One Health sectors.
The initiative is funded by the Biosecurity Portfolio of Cabinet Office’s Integrated Security Fund (ISF). This portfolio delivers innovative programming to support the UK Biological Security Strategy (BSS) and broader national security objectives.
PLI animal streams
It is important to monitor AMR not only in food-producing animals, such as farmed livestock and fish, but also in companion animals. This is because pets live in close contact with people, often sharing homes and daily routines, making it essential to understand AMR in these animals too.
The PLI covers four animal streams, each delivered by a different partner:
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Companion animals - University of Liverpool and Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET)
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Farm animals - Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
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Fish - Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
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Horses - University of Cambridge’s Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) Unit
Despite being led by different partners, all animal streams work collaboratively to produce shared outputs, ensuring a coordinated approach.
What the PLI has achieved to date
Private Laboratories Initiative achievements to April 2026
The PLI delivers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
UK- wide mapping identified over 40 veterinary diagnostic providers and so far the PLI has successfully onboarded 33 private veterinary laboratories.
The PLI is actively contributing to:
The delivery partners come from across HMG and academia, and 29 scientists are also contributing to the outputs of this initiative:
- Approximately 1,115,000 lines of antimicrobial susceptibility data has been submitted.
- More than 2,700 isolates have been tested using advanced techniques.
- Two proficiency testing schemes conducted.
- 11 publications and presentations produced.
How you can be part of the PLI
We offer participating laboratories access to isolate testing, training and proficiency testing schemes. We can also provide analytical insights including benchmarking to help laboratories maximise the value of their data.
Private veterinary diagnostic laboratories which are interested in contributing AMR data to the PLI can get involved via the following sector contacts:
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Companion animals: VetClinAMR
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Farm animals: AMR.Data@apha.gov.uk
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Horses: REIN in AMR