Food plays an important role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The presence of AMR microorganisms in the agrifood systems and food chain is a potential route of exposure for everyone. To collect food and agriculture-related AMR data that could help to manage the risks, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is developing the International Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM) platform. 

“In many countries, AMR data is not often analysed or used as a basis for decision-making. This platform will strengthen countries’ capacities for surveillance and monitoring antimicrobial resistance in food and agriculture. We are releasing the first version of this platform in November and we would like to hear feedback from countries to incorporate in the final version,” said Alejandro Dorado-Garcia, FAO Animal Health Officer.  

FAO Food Safety Officer Jeffrey LeJeune explained that AMR surveillance information across the food chain is necessary for countries to tackle AMR. “This information allows response to AMR risks before they become large-scale emergencies. This AMR evidence is crucial for designing and monitoring control programmes and for guiding the implementation and evaluation of AMR interventions,“he said. 

The InFARM data platform will provide a standardized approach to collecting, analysing, interpreting and sharing AMR data concerning animals and food. The final version of the platform will be launched next year, and right now interested countries are reviewing the first version and providing feedback.  

This new FAO platform will be part of the global antimicrobial resistance and use platforms, coordinated by four international organizations working together, often referred to as the Quadripartite. Data from InFARM, as well as from the World Health Organization (WHO) platform GLASS, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) platform ANIMUSE will be shared regularly to a Quadripartite integrated surveillance global platform. 

Dorado-Garcia added that this InFARM platform is part of the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)” project, where FAO assists governments in how to gather data on antimicrobial use and resistance in the food chain to take risk management decisions.  

For more information, please contact [email protected]