Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

US HHS Announces PACCARB Meeting on 2026–2031 Antibiotic Resistance Action Plan

HHS has announced a 2026 virtual meeting of its Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria to gather expert and public input on the 2026–2031 National Action Plan. The notice creates no new legal duties but offers pharmaceutical, healthcare and antimicrobial-product stakeholders an early chance to shape US priorities on stewardship, surveillance, research incentives and related policy directions before future measures are defined.

23 May 2026, 08:54federalregister.govUnited States

European Commission Confirms Stricter 2026 Import Rules and Audit Increase for Animal-Origin Food Imports

In April 2026 the European Commission told Parliament that stricter import rules from 3 September 2026 and a 50% increase in third-country audits will tighten controls on animal-origin food imports and related sanitary standards. For EU importers and agri-food suppliers this means stronger verification that products are free of growth-promotion antimicrobials and unsafe pesticide residues, and a more intensive audit regime focused on high-risk origins and sanction-sensitive trade flows.

22 May 2026, 16:43europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Hong Kong Government Outlines Phased Roll-Out of Antimicrobials Transaction Record System

Hong Kong’s Acting Secretary for Health has reported to the Legislative Council on progress with a phased computerised transaction record system for antimicrobials, current antibiotic record-keeping obligations, and the potential use of the electronic health record framework to capture antimicrobial prescribing data. While participation in the new system is still voluntary, the Government’s plans to extend coverage to private clinics by 2027 and to consider legislative changes and eHealth data requirements signal tighter future oversight of antibiotic supply chains for manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies and private practitioners.

22 May 2026, 10:23info.gov.hkHong Kong SAR China

EU WG Groundwater Prioritises Tasks to Implement Directive (EU) 2026/805

DG ENV’s Groundwater Working Group has set short-term priorities to implement the newly adopted Surface Water and Groundwater Pollutants Directive (EU) 2026/805, focusing on the first groundwater watch list, pesticide metabolites and new methodologies for groundwater ecosystems. This signals an upcoming wave of EU implementing acts and monitoring methods on emerging groundwater pollutants such as microplastics, antimicrobial resistance, pharmaceuticals and PFAS, allowing compliance teams to anticipate future standards and data obligations.

22 May 2026, 10:22circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Brazil Bans Certain Antimicrobial Performance-Enhancing Feed Additives (SDA/MAPA Ordinance No. 1.617/2026)

In April 2026 Brazil's agriculture ministry issued SDA/MAPA Ordinance No. 1.617 to immediately ban performance-enhancing feed additives containing five antimicrobials considered important in human and veterinary medicine and to cancel all related product registrations nationwide. This significantly tightens antimicrobial use in animal production, forcing feed and additive suppliers to phase out these substances, comply with short reporting and stock-recovery deadlines, and reassess portfolios and export options amid growing antimicrobial-resistance controls.

21 May 2026, 06:38in.gov.brBrazil

EMA Publishes CVMP May 2026 Agenda With MRL Evaluation Guideline And Immunological Concept Papers

EMA has published the CVMP’s 19–21 May 2026 agenda, highlighting planned adoption of a new guideline on when MRL evaluations are needed for certain biological substances, concept papers to revise key immunological veterinary guidance, and appointment of rapporteurs for a new MRL application. These items signal upcoming changes in how veterinary MRL needs are assessed and how immunological products are developed and authorised in the EU, so veterinary pharma and food supply stakeholders should monitor the meeting outcome for new guidance and future consultations.

20 May 2026, 19:59ema.europa.euEuropean Union

FSA Highlights Importance of Safe Handling for Raw Pet Food

In February 2026 the UK Food Standards Agency issued public guidance emphasising safe handling of raw pet food after survey data showed harmful bacteria in a significant share of products. While it does not change legal requirements, this communication signals heightened regulatory attention on raw pet food safety and may prompt producers and retailers to review labelling, consumer advice and hygiene controls.

20 May 2026, 08:30food.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Council Secretariat Outlines Building Blocks for One Health in Agri-Food Systems

The EU Council Secretariat has issued a One Health in agrifood systems discussion paper outlining potential building blocks for future Council conclusions and inviting Member State input in spring 2026. While it creates no immediate legal obligations, it signals EU priorities around antimicrobial resistance and integrated food, animal, plant and environmental health governance, so agrifood and related sectors should monitor for follow-up strategies and regulations that could reshape risk management and policy expectations.

15 May 2026, 12:09data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Brazil — SDA/MAPA Ordinance 1.600/2026 Prohibits Human-Reserved Antimicrobials in Food Animals

Brazil has brought into force SDA/MAPA Ordinance 1.600/2026, immediately banning veterinary products for food animals that contain antimicrobial active ingredients reserved for human use and tightening controls on highest-priority critically important antimicrobials. This significantly narrows the toolbox for livestock and aquaculture treatments, forcing companies to review product portfolios, registrations, import flows and prescribing protocols in Brazil in light of stricter antimicrobial resistance and export-market expectations.

15 May 2026, 09:40members.wto.orgBrazil

France Evaluates Network Of Veterinary Antibiotic Stewardship Advisors Under Écoantibio Plans

France’s agriculture ministry inspectorate has issued a non-binding evaluation of the Écoantibio veterinary antibiotic-referent network, finding that the existing structure, funding and IT tools are too weak and invisible to fully support prudent antibiotic use in animal health. If adopted, its recommendations would strengthen policy focus and multi-year funding for veterinary antimicrobial stewardship and digital decision-support tools, signalling continued regulatory pressure on responsible antibiotic prescribing rather than new immediate legal obligations.

14 May 2026, 19:27vie-publique.frFrance

European Commission Sets Out Strategy to Reinforce Global Health Resilience Amid Geopolitical Change

In May 2026 the European Commission issued a non-binding global health resilience strategy (COM(2026)197), setting out five priority areas and nine flagship initiatives to strengthen health systems, preparedness and governance in a more geopolitical world. For life-science, healthcare and pharmaceutical stakeholders this signals sustained EU focus on pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, diversified supply chains and support for manufacturing and clinical research in partner countries, shaping future funding priorities and potential regulatory reforms rather than creating immediate new obligations.

14 May 2026, 18:36international-partnerships.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Korea MFDS Announces APFRAS Seoul 2026 Declaration on Food Safety Harmonisation

Korea’s food regulator has announced that the 4th Asia-Pacific Food Regulatory Authority Summit in Seoul closed with adoption of the APFRAS Seoul 2026 Declaration on harmonising food safety regulation and tackling foodborne antimicrobial resistance across the region. The declaration and MFDS’s parallel global AMR conference signal a stronger push toward coordinated standards and data-sharing, so food and beverage companies should expect more convergent and potentially tighter food safety and AMR requirements in Asia-Pacific over time.

14 May 2026, 10:21mfds.go.krSouth KoreaASIA_PACIFIC

European Commission Announces Member State Vote on Updated Third-Country List for Animal Product Imports Under Antimicrobial Rules

In May 2026 the European Commission and Member States advanced the veterinary antimicrobial import regime by endorsing an updated list of non‑EU countries authorised to export food‑producing animals and animal products to the EU, with new conditions applying from 3 September 2026. This will concentrate EU market access on exporters that can prove compliance with EU bans on certain antimicrobial uses, so importers and animal‑product supply chains should review sourcing, certifications and contracts well ahead of the 2026 start date.

13 May 2026, 18:58ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Lithuania VMVT Adopts 2026 Dairy Cow Mastitis Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Programme

Lithuania’s State Food and Veterinary Service has adopted a 2026 surveillance programme for mastitis pathogens in dairy cows and their susceptibility to antimicrobials, with binding rules on sampling, laboratory testing, farmer responsibilities and EUR 83,000 in dedicated funding, effective from May 2026. This significantly reinforces antimicrobial resistance monitoring and stewardship expectations in the Lithuanian dairy sector, tightening oversight of antibiotic use, data reporting and milk quality management for producers and accredited laboratories.

13 May 2026, 11:53e-tar.ltLithuania

EU Water Protection Directives Enter Into Force, Expanding ECHA’s Scientific Role

The EU’s revised water protection directives entered into force in May 2026, expanding ECHA’s mandate to provide the scientific basis for updating pollutant lists, watchlists and water-quality standards. This creates a standing mechanism for tighter controls on PFAS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other pollutants, raising future compliance and monitoring expectations for dischargers and water utilities across the EU.

12 May 2026, 18:40echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Directive 2026/805 on Surface and Groundwater Pollutants Enters Into Force

A new EU directive revising pollutant lists and quality standards for surface and groundwater is now in force, bringing PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics and antimicrobial-resistance indicators under much tighter monitoring and control across the Union. By late 2027, Member States and operators will need to embed these changes into river basin plans, permits, treatment and data systems, raising expectations for more advanced water treatment, source control and chemical stewardship in high-impact sectors.

12 May 2026, 15:39eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EP Public Health Committee Opinion on the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) Proposal

In May 2026 the European Parliament’s Public Health Committee adopted an opinion on the proposed European Competitiveness Fund that seeks ring-fenced investment in health, biotechnology, biodefence and digital health infrastructure, with dedicated envelopes for prevention, preparedness, health innovation and health-sector SMEs. If reflected in the final regulation, this would channel substantial EU funding towards resilient pharmaceutical and medical supply chains (including APIs, vaccines and antimicrobials), advanced biotech and digital health capabilities, and pollution-related health protections, reshaping medium-term investment opportunities for health and biotech manufacturers.

9 May 2026, 13:25europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

UN Environment Assembly Reports Seventh Session Outcomes Including Chemicals And Waste Resolution 7/8

In December 2025 the UN Environment Assembly adopted a package of global environmental resolutions and decisions, including on sound management of chemicals and waste, antimicrobial resistance, wildfires, climate resilience and UNEP’s 2026–2029 strategy, and reported these outcomes to the UN General Assembly in March 2026. These non-binding outcomes set the direction for future chemicals, waste and pollution governance, signalling where UN-led workstreams and national regulators are likely to focus attention and resources over the coming years.

9 May 2026, 07:13docs.un.orgGlobal

EFSA Cannot Conclude On Safety Of Glutaminase From GM Bacillus subtilis Strain Glu3-3

In April 2026 the EFSA Panel on Food Enzymes issued a scientific opinion on a glutaminase food enzyme produced by a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain, concluding it could not determine the enzyme’s safety because the strain carries multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and production-strain DNA could not be ruled out in the final preparation. For food and ingredient manufacturers this leaves EU authorisation for this specific glutaminase uncertain, signalling a need to recheck any use of this enzyme in product pipelines and to closely monitor forthcoming EU risk-management decisions on AMR-related food enzymes.

8 May 2026, 17:56efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

UK Lords Bill Proposes Controls on Biocides in Consumer Products

A UK House of Lords private member’s bill proposes near‑prohibition of biocides in many cosmetics, personal care products, and treated consumer articles sold in England and Wales, alongside new oversight, reporting, and enforcement powers targeting antimicrobial resistance risks. If adopted, companies would face staged sales and marketing restrictions, stricter evidence requirements for biocidal efficacy claims, and potential product‑specific bans, making early portfolio, formulation, and labelling reviews important.

5 May 2026, 06:57bills.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom