New action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance presented by FAO

 “The impact of antimicrobial resistance can lead to economic loss, livestock decline, poverty, hunger and malnutrition – especially in low- and middle-income countries,” warned UN FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.

The silent threat looms over the agri-food industry, FAO warns, and its impact could be felt particularly strongly in low- and middle-income countries. The hidden global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is heavily impacting the agri-food sector, warned Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) last week as he unveiled FAO's new five-year plan to combat antimicrobial resistance.

The impact of SCP can lead to “economic loss, livestock decline, poverty, hunger and malnutrition – especially in low- and middle-income countries,” Qu said in his opening remarks at an informational webinar on the topic hosted by FAO.

Bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, when repeatedly exposed to antibiotics and other antimicrobials, become resistant to treatments designed to kill or suppress them, rendering drugs ineffective and creating the specter of uncontrolled "superbugs." About 700 000 human deaths are associated with AMR each year and this number could rise to 10 million by 2050 without risk reduction measures.

AMR poses a particular risk to agriculture - the livestock sector is a major consumer of antimicrobials due to misuse or overuse. Antimicrobials are also used in crop production, especially rice and tomatoes, and in aquaculture to prevent crop losses.

“The availability of life-saving and effective medicines is essential for livestock and crop production,” said the FAO Director-General. - “Effective control of AMR is a shared responsibility of producers, consumers, investors and policy-makers in agri-food systems, through good examples and best practices.”

FAO is also working with its partners to establish the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, which will be operational in 2022 and will ensure that all aspects and all levels of the AMR threat spectrum are taken into account.

The new FAO Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025, published on 19 November, will guide FAO's support to its members. it notes that as resistant microbes cross borders, a global effort is the only way to ensure protection. Among its key principles are the need for evidence-based evidence to identify and manage AMR risks before they escalate into large-scale emergencies, the usefulness of surveillance and education worldwide, and the importance of incentivizing and empowering stakeholders to raise awareness of AMR risks.

FAO has already helped over 40 low- and middle-income countries develop and implement national AMR action plans. It also facilitates access to resources and technical networks and has developed a toolkit to help countries expand their AMR activities to more food and agriculture sectors.

“FAO is applying modern science and technology and developing innovative approaches to help its members meet new challenges and make agriculture and food systems more efficient, inclusive and sustainable,” said the Director-General.