With billions at stake, FAO calls for investment in animal health systems to strengthen preparedness and reduce costly emergency responses.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for stronger prevention and global cooperation against transboundary animal diseases (TADs). These diseases, including avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, New World screwworm, and peste des petits ruminants, are spreading across regions and threatening food security, trade, and livelihoods.
Emerging zoonotic threats such as Ebola, Nipah, and Andes hantavirus add further urgency. Livestock sectors support over one billion livelihoods worldwide and contribute trillions of dollars annually. Protecting animal health is therefore essential for economic stability and rural prosperity.
The economic toll of TADs is staggering. Avian influenza has led to the loss of 633 million poultry, threatening a USD 48 billion market. Foot-and-mouth disease causes USD 11.3 billion in annual losses globally. Meanwhile, African swine fever has reduced pig herds by over 40% in parts of Asia, devastating smallholder farmers and commercial producers alike.
These figures underscore the need for stronger surveillance, faster detection, and coordinated international action. Without preventive measures, outbreaks can cripple economies and destabilize food systems.
Recent developments show how quickly animal health threats can spread. The New World screwworm has re-emerged in the US after decades of containment, moving northward from Central America and Mexico. At the same time, the SAT1 serotype of foot-and-mouth disease has expanded beyond Africa into Asia and the Middle East.
These outbreaks highlight the vulnerability of global livestock systems. They also demonstrate how diseases can cross borders rapidly, disrupting production, trade, and livelihoods.
FAO emphasizes that prevention and preparedness are more effective and less costly than emergency responses. When national systems are overwhelmed, FAO acts as the Provider of Last Resort, deploying expertise and mobilizing resources to contain outbreaks.
Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General, noted: “Investing in animal health systems is one of the most effective ways to protect livelihoods, support trade, strengthen food security and improve resilience.”
FAO is leveraging decades of experience through programs such as EMPRES, ECTAD, and EMC-AH. It is now developing the Global Partnership Program for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD), a long-term, country-owned platform designed to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and rapid response.
The initiative, developed with partners including the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), aims to:
By aligning efforts across regions, FAO hopes to create a more resilient global framework against animal health threats.
FAO’s message is clear: stronger prevention, preparedness, and cooperation are essential to safeguard food security and livelihoods worldwide. With livestock supporting billions of people, the stakes are high. Coordinated global action can reduce risks, protect economies, and ensure more resilient food systems.
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