Health for humans, animals & plants

Project Highlights

CS-DeChrEase

We are working with beekeepers to test measures against chronic bee paralysis and to produce educational material and study the virus genome.

SURVector: One-Health surveillance and monitoring of vectors for pathogens

Ticks and mosquitoes can transmit infectious diseases as vectors. In the SURVector project, we are setting up a nationwide mosquito and tick monitoring programme.

EU-WISH

The aim of EU-WISH is to explore the possibilities of wastewater monitoring for pathogens as well as antibiotic resistance and chemical substances.

RAISE - Reinforcing Austrian Integrated Surveillance and Epidemiology

The RAISE project improves existing methods for monitoring communicable diseases. This will improve preparation for pandemics, make it easier to track trends and identify and present the epidemiological situation quickly and validly so that measures can be taken in good time to protect public health.

DURDUStools

The DURDUStools project makes molecular data usable for variety register testing. To this end, an easily accessible online tool was developed to support the planning of field trials as part of the variety approval process.

eMarketShield

The eMarketShield project aims to improve safety in online retail. The focus is on food supplements and goods that are subject to food safety and consumer protection legislation. The results are intended to contribute to market surveillance for all product categories that are sold online.

ADAPT: Accelerated Development of multiple-stress tolerAnt PoTato

Due to climate change, plants such as the potato are increasingly exposed to heat, drought and flooding. As part of the project, the reactions of the potato to such stress factors were analysed in the laboratory, in the greenhouse and in the field. The results provide important insights for future research in order to better adapt the plant to the challenging growing conditions of the future.

KLIMAFIT: Varieties with improved eco-stability for adaptation to climate change

Due to climate change, domestic agriculture needs new, adapted plant varieties. Climate-fit varieties are being developed for Austria as part of the KLIMAFIT projects.

Wireworm Control

The aim of the project is to validate and improve the available measures for wireworm control, taking into account the biology of wireworms. New efficient and environmentally friendly measures to control the pest are being developed and integrated into agricultural practice.

UNICOM

The project UNICOM was launched to increase patient safety and thus improve healthcare. Among other things, it aims to address increased data requirements in the dispensing of medicines due to cross-border patient mobility.

Fit4Reference

To date, Austria has neither an official database for origin control nor a defined systematic approach to how reference samples are to be taken. The Fit4Reference project aims to create these conditions.

Constance 2

The project involves active surveillance of avian influenza in wild birds. This creates the basis for rapid detection and identification of avian influenza viruses.

FoodSafeR

The project will improve food safety in Europe. It promotes sustainable, healthy and inclusive food systems and increases co-operation in the food sector.

DiMark

The project combines satellite data with traditional and molecular biological indicator parameters for water quality in order to create a better basis for water management.

StopDatura

Poisonous plants such as datura can lead to severe contamination of food and animal feed. As part of the StopDatura project, drones are used to detect datura plants in the fields before harvesting.

RadoNORM

The RadoNORM project analyses the exposure and health effects of radioactive substances as well as measures to reduce exposure and increase risk awareness.

SHARP

The SHARP project has strengthened EU countries' ability to prevent, detect and respond to biological disease outbreaks, chemical contamination and environmental and unknown threats to human health.

ReductionPSM

As part of the ReduktionPSM project, the current significance of higher-risk plant protection products for Austrian agriculture was analysed.

United4Surveillance

The aim of United4Surveillance is to achieve more comprehensive surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases in the EU.

MOIST: Survey of degraded peatlands in Austria

The MOIST project aims to record and assess peat soils and other soils with excess water throughout Austria and to identify areas suitable for rewetting.

AGROECOLOGY

The project supports sustainable agricultural practices, strives for a better understanding of ecosystems and takes social concepts for farmers into account.

PATDOG

In the project, sniffer dogs are trained to detect selected bacterial and fungal pathogens of plant diseases.

BENCHMARKS

We are working on a soil health index whose indicators are applicable to land use and are logistically feasible.

Leptospirosis in cattle in Lower Austria

Together with the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, we are collecting data on the spread of leptospires in Lower Austria.

JA Prevent NCD: Prevention of cancer & other non-communicable diseases

Initiative to reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer at all levels of society with a focus on nutrition, smoking and alcohol.

VETcapacity

The VETcapacity project supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in harmonising laws and regulations in the veterinary sector with EU standards and thus facilitating EU accession.

Ovitrap monitoring of alien mosquito species in Austria

We monitor the occurrence and spread of alien mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito, the Asian bush mosquito and the Korean bush mosquito using ovitraps ("egg-laying traps") throughout Austria. All three species have already been detected in Austria.

Mosquito Alert

The citizen science project Mosquito Alert records reports from the public on alien mosquito species. This allows new populations of these species to be discovered quickly.

MOBILISE

The MOBILISE project is developing a mobile laboratory in which samples from humans, animals and the environment can be analysed. This enables pathogens to be analysed quickly and outbreaks of disease to be reported to the relevant authorities in a timely manner.

Digital beekeeping

The project will initiate digitalisation in the beekeeping sector and promote its implementation. Beekeepers are to be encouraged to use digital tools and are invited to participate in the project.

ESKLIEB

In the ESKLIEB project, we are testing the use of handheld devices in variety testing in order to assess the adaptability of potato varieties to the challenges of climate change in a simple, cost-effective and meaningful way.

DETECTIVE

The DETECTIVE project is developing innovative detection methods to facilitate the traceability of animal and plant products produced using new genomic technologies (NGTs).

EU4H11: International project to strengthen European medicines inspectorates

EU4H11 aims to promote the efficiency and co-operation of medicines inspectorates in the European Economic Area (EEA). The Joint Action is coordinated by AGES/BASG throughout Europe.

Originics: Microbiome analysis to determine the origin of fish

The project is establishing an analytical tool to prove the origin of Austrian freshwater fish.

ISM: Evaluation of insect-friendly mowing techniques

For the first time, the effects of different mowing techniques on insect diversity in permanent grassland were investigated under practical conditions and taking into account the differences over the course of the year.

CHESSMEN: Development of a European network of authorities to monitor drug supply bottlenecks

The existing systems for monitoring distribution restrictions are to be better coordinated and harmonised over the next three years. AGES Medizinmarktaufsicht will play a key role in this project.

LUCASSA I+II: Validation of European soil monitoring programme

There is no standardised soil monitoring programme in Austria. The project validated the European LUCAS dataset and developed a proposal for an Austria-wide monitoring network.

BODAT: Soil data analysis - financial soil estimation and soil mapping

High-resolution satellite data and information from financial soil estimation and soil mapping were combined to obtain and analyse current indirect information on soil properties.

SPITFIRE: We are looking for resistant pea varieties

The aim of the project is to analyse different pea genotypes in order to identify resistance to PNYDV. This will enable the breeding of resistant pea varieties in the future.

ASOCseq: Carbon sequestration potential of Austrian soils

The FAO is working on a map to visualise the global capacity of soils to sequester organic carbon. In the ASOCseq project, this map was improved by using high-resolution data sets and integrated into the global map.

Survey of potential chickpea cultivation in Austria

The aim of the project is to determine the (yield) potential of chickpeas with a variety trial and to build up and pass on further expertise.

Radon survey: Evaluation of a worldwide radon protection survey by the WHO

The radon protection survey shows what progress has been made to date in the respective countries in the areas of health and radon prevention and provides an insight into the work still required to protect the population.

RIMPEST: Effects of climate change on insect pests

Climate change has a wide range of effects on agriculture. The RIMPEST project is focussing on the impact of climate change on potential risks posed by important insect pests for crop production in Austria and is looking for associated adaptation options.

BIOPIGEE: Biosecurity measures in pig farming in Europe

The BIOPIGEE project aimed to identify and research effective and cost-efficient biosecurity measures to control Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the occurrence of Salmonella in European pig farming. Farmers and veterinarians can be exposed to an increased risk of infection through close contact with pigs.

Eco-AlpsWater - Innovative ecological assessment and water management strategy for the protection of ecosystem services in alpine lakes and rivers

The Eco-AlpsWater project has improved traditional monitoring approaches of inland waters through the use of advanced DNA sequencing techniques.

INVITE: Innovations in Plant Variety Testing in Europe

The INVITE project promotes plant varieties with high resistance to unfavourable environmental influences. To this end, variety testing is to be improved in order to better assess the characteristics and performance of new varieties.

FF-IPM: Fruit Flies In-silico / Prevention & Management

The FF-IPM project focuses on three economically important fruit fly species with a broad host plant spectrum that pose a direct threat to European fresh fruit production.

ANTIVERSA: Biodiversity as an ecological barrier against the spread of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance in the environment

ANTIVERSA is investigating whether a "healthy" natural environment with a high diversity of different bacterial and fungal species represents a barrier to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Initial results indicate that this is the case.

ROADS to Health: Decision support for the pandemic management of the future

ROADS aims to develop the need and basis for technologically supported measure matching in the event of a pandemic. This involves creating a technological concept (tool) that specifies the respective steps in pandemic management in order to adapt measures to the given situation and anticipated scenarios.

PROTAX - Enzymatically induced PROTein ArabinoXylan networks in gluten-free systems

Despite the increasing demand for gluten-free baked goods, the quality is not yet comparable to wheat or rye products. The PROTAX project aims to improve the quality of gluten-free baked goods by forming a gluten-like network in dough.

FUTURESOILS

The FUTURESOILS project works with schoolchildren to establish a link between their own food and different farming systems and jointly research the advantages and disadvantages of "horizontal" and "vertical" farming.

AgriWeedClim - New weed species under the influence of climate and land use change

New weed species are arriving in Central Europe, causing considerable yield losses and control costs. The AgriWeedClim project is analysing the changes in weed flora in Central Europe.

OPTIKORN: Optimised sourdough management for the industrial production of einkorn baked goods

In the OPTIKORN project, special sourdoughs and optimised processes are being developed to enable the production of high-quality, wholesome einkorn biscuits under industrial conditions.

MINAGRIS: Micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils: sources, environmental behaviour and effects on the ecosystem

The aim of this project is to obtain more accurate data on the degree of pollution of agricultural land with plastics and to facilitate the use of more sustainable plastics in agriculture in the future.

NANOVIR: Epidemiology of nanoviruses and control strategies of aphids as vectors in organic field bean cultivation

The aim of the project was to collect epidemiological data on the pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV) in Austria and to develop strategies against the virus in organic field beans. To this end, epidemiological trials and monitoring as well as spray agent trials and mixed crop trials were carried out.

EJP Soil: Climate-friendly and sustainable management of agricultural soils

Appropriate EU-wide research activities are required for the climate-adapted and sustainable management of agricultural soils. In the European Joint Project (EJP) Soil, topics are defined, research projects are tendered and coordinated and the implementation of the results is ensured.

The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative

The HBM4EU project aims to measure pollutants more efficiently. A Europe-wide human biomonitoring system has been developed to measure pollutants more efficiently and reduce chemical pollution.

European Partnership for the Risk Assessment of Chemicals

PARC is an EU-wide research and innovation programme to better address challenges in the field of chemical safety. The partnership will facilitate the transition to next generation risk assessment to better protect human health and the environment.

CharAccess: Development of molecular markers for beetle bean breeding

In order to develop more drought- and heat-tolerant bean varieties, molecular markers were identified in the CharAccess project to support bean breeding.

SusCrop: Sustainable plant production

SusCrop is a project that aims to strengthen the European Research Area in the field of sustainability and resilience of crop production through improved cooperation and coordination of different national and regional research programmes.

TeaTime4Schools: Measuring biological activity in soils with the help of schools in Austria

As part of the TeaTime4Schools project, pupils from 150 school classes acted as citizen scientists to collect data on the decomposition of organic material in the soil.

EURAVELCH: Improved diagnostics and insights into the occurrence and spread of little cherry viruses

Little cherry viruses are pathogens that attack cherry fruit and can therefore cause economic damage. The EURAVELCH project aimed to develop methods to detect the viruses directly in the plant material in order to prevent the spread of the virus. These methods enabled the Little Cherry Virus to be detected in Austria for the first time.

Wireworm monitoring in potatoes for the Austrian plant protection warning service

To control wireworms, it is crucial to determine the flight time and the associated egg laying. We have tested new trap systems to better determine this time.

Adaptability of Listeria

The adaptability of Listeria was researched by examining various strains of different origins in order to limit their spread in the food sector. Their sensitivity to antibiotics and biocides was also tested.

Persistent organic pollutants in Austria

Persistent organic pollutants can be ingested via food or drinking water and pose health risks. We have analysed various locations for possible contamination by these substances.

Radon monitoring

We have developed measures and instruments for optimised monitoring of low radon concentrations - and thus better radon protection for the European population.

Soil requirements for food security in Austria

Austria's most fertile soils were identified as part of the BEAT project. The aim is to prevent the loss of valuable agricultural land and ensure food security in Austria.

Improving the digestibility of wheat products

As more and more people suffer from wheat intolerance, relevant ingredients have been characterised and alternative measures to improve the digestibility of wheat have been researched.

Mosquito monitoring at Vienna-Schwechat Airport

The monitoring programme at Vienna International Airport monitors whether exotic and potentially invasive mosquito species are being introduced to Austria via air traffic.

ANSWER: Antibiotic resistance in wastewater

Antibiotics and mobile antibiotic resistance in treated wastewater are being researched as part of the EU Horizon 2020 project ANSWER. AGES is working with international researchers from 18 institutions in nine countries to find answers to potential risks and innovative solutions.

Future bee

The "Future Bee" project aims to investigate bee health in Austria and the influence of agricultural production, beekeeping and weather conditions on colony and bee losses. The results summarise the health status of the bee colonies studied in Austria.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy represents the largest share of renewable energy sources in Austria. In recent years, the production of energy from the biomass of renewable raw materials has gained enormously in importance. The EU's declared goal of reducing CO2 emissions can only be achieved if there is a sufficient supply of raw materials.

BPRACTICES - New methods for population management

In the ERA-Net project BPRACTICES, new methods for colony management are being identified and developed with the active participation of beekeepers.

Last updated: 18.07.2025

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