The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of a new framework aimed at improving interagency collaboration to address potential antibacterial and antifungal resistance risks associated with pesticide use. The EPA is seeking public comments on this framework, which aims to enhance communication and knowledge sharing among federal agencies to fully consider the potential adverse impacts of pesticides on the efficacy of human and animal drugs.
Key Points of the Framework
Agency's Authority
This action is being taken under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which governs the regulation of pesticide distribution, sale, and use in the United States.
Purpose and Collaboration
The framework outlines a process for the EPA's collaboration with other federal agencies, recognising the benefits of pesticides in agriculture while minimising their impact on public health. This effort aligns with the One Health approach, which promotes the integration of human, animal, and environmental health strategies. The EPA has coordinated with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the oversight of the White House Executive Office of the President.
Public Health Concerns
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and fungi is a significant public health threat, with nearly 3 million antimicrobial-resistant infections and over 35,000 associated deaths annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Plant diseases, exacerbated by resistant pathogens, also pose persistent threats to agricultural crops and global food security, leading to billions of dollars in economic losses each year.
Framework Details
The framework provides information and clarification to pesticide applicants, growers, the public health community, and the general public about the EPA’s process for considering resistance issues related to regulatory decisions on antibacterial and anti fungal pesticides. While the framework is not legally binding, it sets a standard for interagency collaboration and input during the evaluation of pesticide products.
Call for Public Comment
The EPA invites the public to submit comments on the framework by 1 August 2024. Following the 30-day public comment period, the EPA will review the feedback received and aims to issue the final framework by the end of 2024. This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards addressing the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance and its impact on public health and agriculture.
