Meeting Summary: 1st Management Committee Meeting of COST Action CA23154 (ENVIRANT)

The inaugural Management Committee meeting of the COST Action CA23154 – “Environmental impact of anthelmintics in livestock and alternatives to minimize their use (ENVIRANT)” – took place on October 10, 2024, at the COST premises in Brussels.

During the meeting, participants discussed the objectives of the Action, elected key leadership positions, and established the Action’s structure. Maria Martinez-Valladares (ES) was elected Chair, with Smaragda Sotiraki (EL) as Vice Chair and Grant Holder Scientific Representative. The committee also appointed leaders and vice-leaders for six thematic Working Groups, as well as coordinators for grant awarding and science communication.

Breakout sessions enabled in-depth discussions on topics such as environmental residues of anthelmintics, sustainable farm practices, benefit-risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement. A quorum was achieved, allowing for formal decisions on governance and the Action’s work plan.

The meeting emphasized the importance of involving young researchers and outlined key deliverables, including scientific papers, policy briefs, and communication materials. The next Management Committee meeting, combined with the first Working Group sessions, is planned for early 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

This meeting marks the official launch of ENVIRANT’s collaborative efforts to address the environmental impact of anthelmintic use in livestock and to develop sustainable alternatives.