The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the second annual open call for data under its International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM) system. For the first time, the 2025 call will also include a global data collection initiative on antimicrobial use in plant production and protection – a significant step in advancing a One Health approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The first InFARM data call, concluded in December 2024, saw strong global engagement: 52 countries enrolled, 49 reported on their national AMR surveillance activities, and 28 submitted AMR data in animals and food. This success demonstrates unprecedented global collaboration in addressing AMR across agrifood systems.

Second annual call: AMR data in animals and food

FAO invites Members to participate in the second annual open call for AMR data in animals and food, open from 1 July to 1 December 2025. Countries are encouraged to designate focal points within national authorities responsible for AMR surveillance in agrifood systems.

Steps for participation:

1. Identify focal points across AMR surveillance programmes.
2. Submit an enrolment request form to: [email protected]
3. Access the InFARM IT platform and complete the Surveillance Implementation Questionnaire.
4. Upload AMR data from animals and food collected since 2015.

To further strengthen global participation, FAO will offer tailored e-learning courses through its Virtual Learning Center and conduct two regional training sessions in Asia-Pacific and Africa in 2025.

New in 2025: Antimicrobial Use in Plant Production

In a major extension of InFARM's scope, FAO will also launch the first global data call on antimicrobial use (AMU) in plants, which will be released separately in the second half of 2025. This initiative addresses a critical gap in AMU monitoring within the plant health sector. It will collect national-level data on antibiotics used as pesticides, enabling regulators to make informed decisions, monitor compliance, and identify potential resistance hotspots.

Invitations to participate will be sent through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Official Contact Points. Countries will be asked to designate national focal points to complete AMU questionnaires using data from customs records, pesticide registries, and farmer reports.

For more information, please contact [email protected].