On 10 October 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its framework for interagency collaboration to mitigate the risks of antibacterial and antifungal resistance stemming from pesticide use. This initiative, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), aims to protect the efficacy of critical drugs in human and animal health while maintaining the benefits pesticides offer to agriculture.
Addressing a growing health crisis
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant global health threat, with nearly 3 million resistant infections and over 35,000 deaths annually in the US alone. The EPA's framework directly responds to concerns that pesticides, particularly antibacterial and antifungal varieties, may contribute to AMR, affecting not only human and veterinary medicine but also agricultural stability.
A multi-agency collaboration for public health
The EPA, alongside the CDC, FDA, and USDA, has formed the Interagency Drug and Pesticide Resistance and Efficacy Workgroup (IDPREW). This body will use a One Health approach to assess how certain pesticides, such as azole fungicides or antibacterial agents like oxytetracycline, could drive resistance in bacteria and fungi. The framework, which covers pesticides that may share modes of action with medically important drugs, allows experts to examine resistance risks and provide recommendations to the EPA during pesticide evaluations.
The need for balance: agriculture and public health
While the use of pesticides plays a critical role in controlling plant diseases and ensuring food security, there are significant concerns about their long-term impact on human health due to resistance development. The framework encourages collaboration between agencies to weigh these risks and benefits carefully. For example, azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, linked to widespread fungicide use, has been a growing problem globally, leading to treatment challenges in patients.
Research agenda and future actions
The framework also includes a research agenda aimed at improving the understanding of pesticide-related resistance. This will involve evaluating the effects of pesticide residues in environments such as composting sites, which may be hotspots for resistance development. The EPA plans to update its resistance assessment processes continuously, integrating new data from ongoing research.
The EPA’s framework represents a crucial step towards safeguarding public health by mitigating the risks of antimicrobial resistance related to pesticide use. This collaborative effort ensures that critical drugs remain effective while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Moving forward, the EPA and its partners will continue to refine their approach to meet the evolving challenges posed by resistant pathogens.
