Pesticides; Framework for Interagency Collaboration To Review Potential Antibacterial and Antifungal Resistance Risks Associated With Pesticide Use; Notice of Availability

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

A. Does this action apply to me?

This action is directed to the public in general, although this action may be of particular interest to those persons who may be interested in assessments of potential risks to human and animal health where the use of certain pesticides could potentially result in antimicrobial resistance that compromises the effectiveness of medically important antibacterial and antifungal drugs. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be interested in this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

This action is being taken under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.).

C. What action is the Agency taking?

EPA is announcing the availability of a final Framework that outlines a process for EPA's collaboration with other federal agencies that recognizes the benefits of these pesticides to agriculture while minimizing their impact on public health and considers the goals of the One Health approach. While developing this Framework, EPA has coordinated with HHS and USDA, under the oversight of the White House Executive Office of the President. Each of these agencies is charged with protecting health in areas that are directly impacted by resistance resulting from pesticides or drug products used to protect humans, animals, or plants. This Framework clarifies that EPA intends to establish a process with those other federal agencies to consider their input when EPA evaluates antibacterial and antifungal pesticide products that may adversely impact the efficacy of human or animal drugs.

EPA is issuing this Framework to provide information and clarification to pesticide applicants, growers, the public health community, and the public about EPA's process for considering resistance issues related to regulatory decisions on antibacterial and antifungal pesticides with other federal agencies. While the requirements in FIFRA and the EPA regulations are binding on EPA and applicants, this Framework is not binding on EPA personnel, pesticide registrants and applicants, or the public. EPA may depart from the Framework where circumstances warrant and without prior notice. Likewise, pesticide applicants may assert that the Framework is not applicable to a specific pesticide or decision. Registrants and applicants may also propose alternative processes to the final Framework in any application to EPA.

D. Why is the Agency taking this action?

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and fungi is a top threat to the public's health and a priority across the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are nearly 3 million antimicrobial-resistant infections and more than 35,000 associated deaths in the U.S. each year. According to USDA, plant diseases are also persistent threats to agricultural crops and global food security, having a significant impact on yields and quality. These diseases result in billions of dollars in economic losses and management inputs each year to crops, landscapes, and forests in the U.S. Plant diseases reduce yields, lower product quality or shelf-life, decrease aesthetic or nutritional value, and may contaminate food and feed with toxic compounds.

Determining a compound's potential to result in the development of antimicrobial resistance is complex. This Framework is intended to expand interagency collaboration to improve the communication and knowledge base within the federal family to fully consider potential adverse impact of pesticides on efficacy of human and animal antibacterial and antifungal drugs.

II. Background

On September 26, 2023, EPA and the other federal agencies issued a document entitled “Concept Note: Soliciting Feedback from Stakeholders on the Structure of a Proposed Framework to Assess the Risk to the Effectiveness of Human and Animal Drugs Posed by Certain Antibacterial or Antifungal Pesticides” (88 FR 65998) (FRL-11370-01-OCSPP). The concept note was intended to be the first step in creating a process to improve assessments of potential risks to human and animal health where the use of certain pesticides could potentially result in antimicrobial resistance that compromises the effectiveness of medically important antibacterial and antifungal drugs. The concept note solicited stakeholder input on the proposed structure for the process and potential solutions, research, and mitigation approaches to reduce the spread of resistance. The concept note posed several questions about how resistance occurs and is spread. The Agency received many comments; however, very few directly responded to the specific charge questions asked by the concept paper. The agencies did not receive sufficient information to resolve the many scientific questions about assessing the potential risk of antifungal or antibacterial pesticides to adversely impact the efficacy of human or animal drugs.

On July 2, 2024, EPA announced the availability of and requested comment on the draft framework entitled “Pesticides; Final White Paper: Framework for Interagency Collaboration to Review Potential Antibacterial and Antifungal Resistance Risks Associated with Pesticide Use” (89 FR 54819) (FRL-11370-03-OCSPP). Fourteen comments were received. Commenters included grower groups (three), industry groups (four), consulting groups (one), public interest groups (one), human health groups (three), animal health group (one), and one private citizen.

These groups raised a number of issues. The industry and grower groups stressed the benefits of pesticides, the need for a transparent process, concerns about the research uncertainties, and several advocated for EPA to wait to take action until the scientific issues are more resolved. The health groups were concerned about the implications of resistance to humans and animals who need effective drugs to combat disease.

All public comments and EPA's responses to comments received, including those that do not raise significant issues or substantially change the proposed requirements, are included in Response to Comments document that is available in the docket for this action. After considering the public comments, EPA is issuing the Framework.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

[FR Doc. 2024-22947 Filed 10-9-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P