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Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Plant Agriculture: A One Health Perspective

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Basel, Switzerland ;

Pages 27 p.

Author Miller, S.A.; Ferreira, J.P.; LeJeune, J.T.

Publisher Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) ;

Product type Article

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Bactericides, fungicides, and other pesticides play an important role in the management of plant diseases. However, their use can result in residues on plants and in the environment, with potentially detrimental consequences. The use of streptomycin, oxytetracycline, copper-based products, and some fungicides is correlated with increased resistance among plant pathogens to these agents. Likewise, the recent rise in the incidence of environmental triazole fungicide-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, the cause of aspergillosis in humans, has caused concern, particularly in Europe. Through horizontal gene transfer, genes can be exchanged among a variety of bacteria in the plant production environment, including phytopathogens, soil bacteria, and zoonotic bacteria that are occasionally present in that environment and in the food chain. Through mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer, co-resistance, cross-resistance, and gene up-regulation, resistance to one compound may confer resistance and multi-drug resistance to other similar, or even very dissimilar, compounds. Given the global rise in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) organisms, and their effects on plant, animal, and human health, the prudent use of pesticides is required to maintain their effectiveness for food security and sustainable production, and to minimize the emergence and transmission of AMR organisms from horticultural sources.

This is an open access article published externally in Agriculture (an Open Access Journal by MDPI), Volume 12, Issue 2, published: 17 February 2022

Language English

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    The availability and use of antimicrobial drugs in terrestrial and aquatic animals and in plant production is essential for both health and productivity and contributes to food security, food safety and animal welfare, and in turn, the protection of livelihoods and sustainability of food production systems. However, there are growing global concerns about resistance to antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics, and that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will reverse these benefits. Developing countries are expected to bear the greatest burden of this problem. In this context, it is critical that countries’ food and agriculture sectors are equipped to address AMR and ensure that antimicrobials are regulated and used in a responsible manner. To this end, the project aimed to support the engagement of the food and agriculture sectors in selected countries in the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAP) on AMR, focusing on several key factors such as regulatory platforms, legislation, and capacity to collect data on antimicrobial use (AMU), among others.
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    A One Health Priority Research Agenda for Antimicrobial Resistance 2023
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    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been recognized as one of the greatest global threats to humans, animals, plants and ecosystems health threatening the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In our globally connected world, resistance to antimicrobials may spread and circulate among humans, animals, plants and the environment, necessitating a “One Health” approach. While the One Health approach is relevant to all efforts to prevent and control AMR, this priority research agenda focuses on research areas at the interface between sectors. This research agenda is a joint product of the Quadripartite organizations –FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH - and a result of extensive stakeholder and expert engagement. A structured mixed-methods approach was used including reviews of academic and grey literature, online open global survey, and consensus exercise by modified Delphi method in which global experts prioritized research areas for the five pillars: transmission, integrated surveillance, interventions, behavioral insights and change, and economics and policy. We hope this research agenda will serve as a guiding tool for countries, research institutes and funding bodies to support for One Health AMR research, helping policymakers, researchers and the multidisciplinary scientific community to work together across sectors on solutions that will prevent and mitigate AMR on a national, regional and global scale as further evidence on research strategies, interventions and policies is required to understand what works, in which contexts and for whom.
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