ACT / Surveys in Latin America provide key recommendations for increased awareness about foodborne AMR

One of the aims of the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project is to raise awareness among stakeholders along the food production chain, about the need for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials. When these drugs are overused or misused, they can become ineffective against bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections, leading to what is known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.

The ACT project is being implemented in six countries. Two of these are Bolivia (Plurinational State of) and Colombia. Here, awareness-raising efforts have been supported by the implementation of awareness surveys to establish the state of baseline knowledge on the subject of AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) among producers, professionals, and animal health technicians in the food and agriculture sectors.

In Colombia, two surveys were conducted and reviewed and validated by professionals from the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) between November 2023 and February 2024: one for the plant production sector, and one for the animal production sector. In Bolivia, one survey explored awareness within the animal production sector and was reviewed and validated by the National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service (SENASAG) between October 2023 and January 2024. Two distinct stakeholder groups were surveyed in each case: professionals and technicians, and producers.

Those surveyed were asked a series of questions, among other things, about their knowledge of what AMR means, when antimicrobials should be recommended for use, how to use them, and what they understood about the need to take precautionary measures toward the environment when disposing of expired or unused antimicrobials. Other questions explored respondents’ understanding of the impact and potential control mechanisms for AMR, and sources of information regarding AMR.

In both countries and across the stakeholder groups, the results were broadly similar. Among professionals and technicians in the plant and animal production sector, there appeared to be a general knowledge of what AMR is and most have a basic understanding of the characteristics of antimicrobials, but it was clear that this needs to be reinforced across all groups.

In the animal production sectors, regarding when to use or recommend antimicrobials, more than half of the respondents recognize the importance of a veterinarian’s instructions, but an important number of respondents nonetheless indicated their preventive use for diseases or use without veterinary guidance. There is wide recognition that antimicrobials should be acquired from authorized establishments. Regarding the disposal of leftover or expired antimicrobials, a large majority identifies the importance of their final disposal, taking precautions towards the environment. Most of the professionals and technicians recognized the negative impacts of AMR on health, food safety, and treatment effectiveness, with the need to reinforce the impacts of AMR on the productivity of agrifood systems and trade.

Regarding the control of AMR, the advice of a veterinary professional is considered important, as well as the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials. However, it is necessary to reinforce preventive measures such as biosecurity and the use of vaccinations, and the use of alternatives to antimicrobials. In both countries, the official institutions and professional associations play a fundamental role in providing information on AMR. This highlights the importance of awareness and training of these groups on this issue.

“It was meaningful to find that they have some level of understanding of AMR—even if not always clearly articulated. This provides valuable insight to the countries, highlighting the need for deeper awareness-raising activities at farm level, and for ensuring that the knowledge is being applied in their daily practices,” said María de los Ángeles Gatica, ACT Regional Project Coordinator at FAO RLC.

The survey reports conclude with a series of recommendations to raise awareness about all related issues, and to reinforce these awareness raising exercises, together with more in-depth information about the causes and consequences of AMR in animal and plant/crop production, biosecurity and good production practices, along with good practices in the use of antimicrobials.

“It is recommended to conduct another round of surveys at the end of the project cycle to assess the impact of awareness-raising initiatives—even if indirectly,” concluded Myoengsin Choi, ACT Project Coordinator.

Plans for the publication of these surveys will be released separately.

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The ACT project