EFSA Report: Impact of Azole Fungicides on Aspergillus spp. Resistance

On January 30, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), released a comprehensive scientific report examining the impact of azole fungicides—excluding those used in human medicine—on the development of azole-resistant Aspergillus species.

The extensive use of azole fungicides, particularly in certain agricultural and horticultural practices, has been identified as a contributing factor to the emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains. This resistance poses a significant threat to public health, as azole antifungals are essential treatments for aspergillosis, a serious infection caused by Aspergillus fungi.

Employing a One Health approach, the report brings together experts from human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and environmental sciences to review existing evidence, identify factors promoting azole resistance, and propose measures to prevent and control it. Key recommendations include assessing the potential for cross-resistance with antifungals used in human medicine before approving new fungicides, promoting best agriculture practices, enhancing disease diagnostics, and developing new antifungals with novel mechanisms of action.

EFSA Journal. 2025;23:e9200. | 1 of 35 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9200