Environmental Protection Agency Pressured to Prohibit Application of Antibiotics on US Agricultural Produce Amidst Superbug Concerns
A recent formal request from multiple public health and farm worker groups is demanding the Environmental Protection Agency to stop allowing the use of antibiotics on produce across the United States, citing superbug proliferation and health risks to farm laborers.
Agricultural Industry Applies Large Quantities of Antimicrobial Pesticides
The agricultural sector sprays about 8 million pounds of antibiotic and antifungal pesticides on American produce every year, with a number of these substances restricted in foreign countries.
“Every year Americans are at greater risk from dangerous pathogens and diseases because human medicines are used on crops,” said Nathan Donley.
Superbug Threat Presents Significant Health Risks
The widespread application of antimicrobial drugs, which are critical for combating medical conditions, as pesticides on crops threatens population health because it can cause antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Likewise, overuse of antifungal agent pesticides can cause mycoses that are more resistant with present-day pharmaceuticals.
- Drug-resistant infections impact about millions of Americans and cause about thousands of deaths per year.
- Health agencies have connected “medically important antimicrobials” approved for pesticide use to antibiotic resistance, increased risk of bacterial illnesses and increased risk of MRSA.
Environmental and Public Health Impacts
Furthermore, ingesting drug traces on crops can disturb the intestinal flora and raise the risk of long-term illnesses. These substances also pollute aquatic systems, and are considered to damage insects. Often poor and Hispanic field workers are most vulnerable.
Common Antibiotic Pesticides and Agricultural Methods
Farms spray antibiotics because they eliminate bacteria that can ruin or kill plants. One of the popular agricultural drugs is streptomycin, which is often used in medical care. Data indicate as much as significant quantities have been used on US crops in a annual period.
Citrus Industry Pressure and Regulatory Action
The formal request comes as the EPA faces urging to expand the utilization of medical antimicrobials. The bacterial citrus greening disease, transmitted by the vector, is severely affecting citrus orchards in southeastern US.
“I recognize their critical situation because they’re in dire straits, but from a societal point of view this is definitely a clear decision – it must not occur,” the expert stated. “The bottom line is the massive problems generated by using pharmaceuticals on edible plants greatly exceed the agricultural problems.”
Other Approaches and Future Outlook
Advocates recommend straightforward farming steps that should be tested initially, such as wider crop placement, cultivating more hardy types of crops and identifying infected plants and quickly removing them to stop the diseases from spreading.
The petition provides the EPA about five years to answer. Several years ago, the regulator banned a pesticide in answer to a parallel legal petition, but a judge blocked the regulatory action.
The regulator can enact a ban, or must give a reason why it will not. If the regulator, or a later leadership, fails to respond, then the coalitions can take legal action. The legal battle could take many years.
“We are pursuing the prolonged effort,” Donley concluded.