THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: POTENTIAL AFFECTS TO PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE

Liz Wagstrom, DVM, MS, DACVPM

Director of Veterinary Science, National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA

The U.S. Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance was developed by an interagency task force co-chaired by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. Other federal agencies were included on the task force (including the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency). Input was also received during public meetings with stakeholders.

The Public Health Action Plan provides a framework for approaching the problem of antimicrobial resistance and identifies agency priorities. The plan does not provide a clear strategy for achieving the action steps or goals listed. Implementation of the plan will be dependent on funding. Some actions will require new statuatory authority or changes in regulations.

The Public Health Action Plan identifies actions, and prioritizes them, in four general areas: Surveillance, prevention and control, research, and product development. In each of these areas there are actions outlined that may impact production agriculture. These actions may impact such areas as antimicrobial availability, data collection and reporting, research funding, and the licensing process for new products.

The Public Health Action plan will be implemented incrementally. Neither funding for the actions outlined in the plan, or the regulatory changes, is assured. Annual reports are issued to outline the process made toward implementation. Public comment and stakeholder input on the progress reports has been solicited.