News

Letter requests continued investment in fight against antibiotic resistance

A group of major food retailers, infectious disease researchers and policy organizations sent a letter to congressional appropriators last week requesting continued investment in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Cargill, Tyson Foods, McDonalds, Walmart and Costco were among the companies urging Congress to include funding in the fiscal 2017 appropriations bill to support implementation of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Action Plan for combatting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The letter cites recent reports of highly mobile resistant genes found in both humans and animals emerging in “last resort” antibiotics like colistin that raise serious concerns over the future availability of those vital drugs.

It says combating the threat will require increased and sustained federal investments.

The president’s 2017 budget proposal includes $42 million of level funding for FDA’s Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria priorities and $61 million for USDA’s antimicrobial resistance surveillance and research.

In the letter, the group also points to industry support of FDA guidance on phasing out production uses of antibiotics and implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive as important steps in slowing the spread of resistant bacteria.