FAO: Animal Diseases Threaten Global Food Security – Mirage News

Executive Report: Transboundary Animal Diseases as a Threat to Global Food Security and Sustainable Development

A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) represent an urgent and intensifying threat to global food security, economic stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The FAO has called for reinforced global partnerships to prevent and control these diseases, highlighting the new Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) as a critical initiative.

The Impact of Transboundary Animal Diseases on Sustainable Development Goals

Threats to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty)

TADs directly undermine efforts to achieve Zero Hunger and end poverty by disrupting food systems and destroying livelihoods. The impact is most severe on vulnerable populations.

• TADs disrupt food production, compromise food safety, and destabilize trade, threatening food security for millions.
• Outbreaks can devastate the livelihoods of 1.9 billion people who depend on livestock, erasing years of development gains and pushing smallholder farmers into poverty.
• Recent major outbreaks include African swine fever, which has spread to over 50 countries, and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Economic Repercussions and Implications for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The economic stability of the global agricultural sector is at severe risk from TADs, which inflict massive financial losses and hinder economic growth.

• The global farmed animal sector, valued between USD 1.6 and 3.3 trillion, is directly threatened.
• Annual livestock losses due to disease are estimated to range from USD 48 billion to USD 330 billion.
• The aquaculture sector experiences an additional USD 10 billion in yearly disease-related losses.
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) alone results in an estimated USD 21 billion per year in lost production and vaccination costs in endemic regions.

Public Health Risks and Connection to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

The spread of TADs poses significant risks to public health, highlighting the interconnectedness of animal and human well-being under the One Health approach.

• TADs have the potential to spill over to human populations, causing zoonotic diseases.
• The response to animal diseases can fuel antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health crisis.

A Call for Global Action: The Global Partnership Programme for TADs (GPP-TAD)

Rationale for a Renewed Approach

The FAO warns that the cost of prevention is far lower than the cost of inaction. Decades of progress in managing TADs, led by FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), are at risk from funding cuts at a time when global threats are intensifying due to increased trade, animal movements, and the climate crisis.

Core Principles of the GPP-TAD

In response, the FAO has developed the GPP-TAD as a new model to build stronger, more resilient animal health systems based on shared responsibility and sustainability.

1. Innovative Partnerships: Expanded engagement with regional bodies, the private sector, and financial institutions.
2. Integrated System: A coordinated framework for disease intelligence, rapid field response, and surge support.
3. Country-Led Mechanisms: Emphasis on country leadership and ownership of animal health systems.
4. Sustainable, Long-Term Impact: A focus on reducing outbreaks, minimizing economic losses, and expanding opportunities for growth.

A Framework for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

A Tiered Funding Model for Inclusive Participation

The GPP-TAD introduces an inclusive structure that reflects countries’ diverse capacities, reinforcing global solidarity and collective protection in line with SDG 17 and SDG 10.

• High-income countries: Can provide base funding to support nations with fewer resources.
• Middle-income countries: Can offer moderate financial or in-kind contributions in exchange for access to advanced surveillance, diagnostics, and co-financing.
• Low-income countries (including SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs): Contribute primarily in-kind support, backed by solidarity funds and tailored assistance to meet specific needs.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Through this coordinated global effort, the GPP-TAD aims to protect livestock, economies, and our shared future by strengthening systems to prevent the next crisis.

• Reduce the frequency and impact of TAD outbreaks.
• Minimize disruptions to international trade and economic losses.
• Mitigate public health risks associated with animal diseases.
• Strengthen global and regional systems for collective protection against TADs.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article directly identifies transboundary animal diseases (TADs) as “one of the most urgent threats to global food security.” It explains that TADs “disrupt food production, food safety, trade, livelihoods, and farmer incomes,” which are all central components of achieving Zero Hunger. The impact on both livestock and aquaculture, which the article notes “provides half of all seafood and freshwater fish,” underscores the threat to diverse and vital food sources.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article highlights that livestock underpins the livelihoods of 1.9 billion people and that disease outbreaks can “devastate smallholders” and “eras[e] years of development gains in days.” This directly connects the economic shock of TADs to the stability of livelihoods and the risk of pushing vulnerable populations into poverty.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The economic impact of TADs is a major theme. The article quantifies the threat by stating the global farmed animal sector is valued at “USD 1.6-3.3 trillion” and faces “annual livestock losses range from USD 48-330 billion.” These massive losses disrupt trade, strain national budgets, and undermine the economic stability required for sustainable growth.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article points out the public health risks associated with TADs, noting that they can “spill over to humans” and “fuel antimicrobial resistance.” This highlights the One Health aspect, where animal health is intrinsically linked to human health and well-being.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• This SDG is central to the proposed solution. The Director-General’s call to “reinforce global partnerships” and the detailed description of the new “Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD)” exemplify this goal. The article emphasizes that “No country can manage these diseases alone” and details a multi-stakeholder approach involving countries, development banks, the private sector, and other organizations.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food

• The article’s focus on TADs as a threat to “food production” and “food safety” directly relates to this target. By preventing and controlling diseases in livestock and aquaculture, the availability and safety of essential protein sources are protected, ensuring more stable access to food.

Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and reduce their vulnerability to economic, social and environmental shocks

• A TAD outbreak is a significant economic shock, particularly for the 1.9 billion people whose livelihoods depend on livestock. The article states that outbreaks can “devastate smallholders.” The proposed GPP-TAD aims to create “stronger, more resilient animal health systems,” which directly contributes to building the resilience of these vulnerable populations against such shocks.

Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth

• The article provides clear evidence of how TADs hinder economic growth by citing massive financial losses, such as “an estimated USD 21 billion per year in lost production and vaccination costs” from Foot-and-Mouth Disease alone. Preventing these losses is crucial for sustaining economic growth, especially in countries with large agricultural sectors.

Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks

• The work of FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which provides “disease intelligence, rapid field response, surge support, and coordination,” is a direct implementation of this target. The goal is to contain outbreaks at their source to prevent them from becoming “global emergencies,” which includes managing the risk of diseases that can “spill over to humans.”

Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development

• The proposed GPP-TAD is a textbook example of this target. It is described as a multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together “Members, development banks, regional organizations, the private sector, and philanthropic partners in one coordinated effort.” This collaboration is designed to mobilize resources and share expertise to achieve a common goal.

Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries

• The GPP-TAD’s tiered funding model is specifically designed to provide targeted support. It ensures that “Low-income countries including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) contribute primarily in-kind support, backed by solidarity funds and tailored assistance to meet specific needs.” This directly addresses the need for capacity-building in nations with fewer resources.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Economic losses from transboundary animal diseases

• The article explicitly mentions several financial figures that can serve as indicators. These include “Annual livestock losses range from USD 48-330 billion,” “aquaculture experiencing an additional USD 10 billion in yearly disease-related losses,” and “USD 21 billion per year in lost production and vaccination costs” for FMD. A reduction in these figures would indicate progress.

Number and spread of major TAD outbreaks

• The article implies this indicator by listing recent major outbreaks, such as “African swine fever, which since 2007 has spread to over 50 countries,” “Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD),” and “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.” Tracking the frequency, geographic spread, and severity of such outbreaks would be a direct measure of the effectiveness of control programs.

Level of financial and in-kind contributions to global partnerships

• The new GPP-TAD is built on a “tiered funding model” where countries and partners contribute based on their capacity. The article states that high-income countries can provide “base funding,” while middle-income countries can offer “financial or in-kind contributions.” Measuring the total mobilized resources (both financial and in-kind) for the GPP-TAD would be a clear indicator of the partnership’s strength and sustainability.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: miragenews.com