Research and analysis

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance strategies within wild flora and fauna of England - summary

Published 26 October 2023

Applies to England

1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary

This project reviewed potential data sources and existing wild flora and fauna surveys that could be used to improve understanding of the presence of microorganisms that are resistant to antimicrobial substances in the wild.

1.1 Background

Antimicrobial resistance represents a major concern for humans, animals, plants, and the wider environment. The Government’s 20-year Vision for AMR and the 5-year National Action Plan outline how the UK will address the AMR challenge. The wild flora and fauna of England can acquire infectious diseases from their environment but since they are not typically treated with antimicrobial substances it makes little difference to them whether the pathogen concerned is resistant to antimicrobials or not. However, infections in wildlife may provide both a route to develop or transfer resistance to other microorganisms and a potential surveillance option for understanding the movement of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the wild.

1.2 Approach

The project was divided into two main tasks:

1. A literature review looking at how different wild flora and fauna may acquire or act as a reservoir for resistant microorganisms and where, and in which, environmental settings it might occur.
2. To identify existing flora or fauna surveillance activities which could potentially be used for AMR surveillance in future.

1.3 Results

The literature review found that microbiomes of wild flora and fauna respond to the surrounding environmental pressures and act as both sources and receptors of resistant microorganisms. The role of wild flora and fauna in the spread and persistence of AMR highlights their potential as a tool for monitoring AMR in the environment. The review also made recommendations for surveillance methods using wildlife that could enhance our understanding of AMR in the environment.

Thirteen existing wild flora and fauna surveillance schemes in England with the potential to collect information on AMR were identified and evaluated. Twelve of these were based on animal species rather than plants. Two surveillance schemes (Environment Agency’s ‘fish disease surveillance’ and Forest Research’s ‘plant health surveillance’) which collect microorganism data with the exception of AMR are potentially suitable to be expanded to include AMR in the future. This would help, inform about AMR in certain species of wild flora and fauna.

1.4 Publication details

This summary relates to information from project SC220010/reported in detail in the following output:

• Report: SC220010
• Title: Antimicrobial resistance surveillance strategies within wild flora and fauna of England
• Project manager: Purvi Mali, Chief Scientist’s Group

This project was commissioned by the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools, and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible. The project was carried out as part of the Environment Agency Chief Scientist’s Group research into AMR in the environment and has been funded by the PATH-SAFE programme which has been funded by HM Treasury through the Shared Outcomes Fund.

Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk.

© Environment Agency