Animals’ health – just like that of humans – is directly affected by the conditions they inhabit. Where they live, how they are raised, and the conditions they are subjected to will naturally affect their health, immunity, and susceptibility to disease, which in turn directly impacts environmental and human health.
Putting animal welfare at the heart of the One Health approach in agrifood systems is therefore critical to protecting the health of animals, people, and the planet.
On 21-23 September, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization held its first Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems. The Conference brought together governments, technical experts, scientists, farmers, civil society and other stakeholders to accelerate the practical application of the One Health approach across agrifood systems.
It provided a unique platform to communicate the value of improved animal welfare and its role in animal and human health and in securing more sustainable and resilient food systems.
On 21 September, the World Federation for Animals (WFA) and Compassion in World Farming convened a side event to discuss the potential of animal welfare for the One Health approach to transform agrifood systems.
From animal welfare to One Health action
The side event brought together representatives from the FAO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), UK and Ethiopian government representatives, the Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme and academia to explore how animal welfare can contribute to One Health and effective antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies.
“Recognise animal welfare as a goal in its own right while embedding it as a central consideration within One Health strategies. Strengthen collaboration across government and with farmers and other stakeholders, ensuring that policy approaches are co-designed, practical and supported by appropriate funding.”
– Eleanor Walker, Head of Animal Welfare in Trade & International Cooperation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom
“Build the capacity, technology and innovation needed to implement higher-welfare approaches at scale, while strengthening collaboration between public and private actors and understanding the costs and benefits of different interventions.”
– Samuel Ayenew Yeshaneh, Minister and Alternate PR of Ethiopia to FAO, WFP, & IFAD, Embassy of Ethiopia in Rome
Turning welfare standards into implementation
A consistent message emerged from the discussion: many of the standards already exist; the challenge is turning them into practice.
Chadia Wannous of WOAH highlighted three critical implementation gaps: capacity, measurement and incentives. Countries may recognise animal welfare in legislation, but implementation depends on trained personnel, veterinary services, infrastructure and financial resources.
Progress also needs to be measured, while incentives must shift the perception of welfare from a cost to an investment that can contribute to animal health, food security, productivity and market access.
Develop science-based, outcome-oriented approaches that translate animal welfare standards into implementation. Strengthen capacity, measurement and partnerships so that farmers, veterinarians, transporters, slaughterhouses and other actors have the tools and incentives to put standards into practice.
– Chadia Wannous, Head of Department, One Health and Global Frameworks, World Organisation for Animal Health
The discussion also highlighted the importance of approaches that reflect different production systems and capacities. ASEAN’s experience demonstrated the value of planning the transition, building capacity and ensuring that smallholders are not left to absorb the costs of change alone.
Adopt a progressive and tiered approach to implementation that reflects different capacities, particularly those of smallholders. Embed animal welfare in regional One Health and AMR action plans, strengthen practical support for farmers and veterinarians, and create market incentives that reward compliance.
– Supalak Prabsriphum, Head, Multilateral Livestock Cooperation and International Organizations Group, ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Animal Health and Zoonoses
The links between animals and antimicrobial resistance
Animal welfare was described as a frontline defence against disease, with improvements in housing and husbandry helping strengthen animals’ natural resilience and reduce the routine need for antimicrobials.
“Embed animal welfare in One Health policy and financing mechanisms, strengthen the science–policy interface, and use animal welfare as an early-warning indicator to support prevention and improve animal husbandry at farm level.”
– Dr Rebecca Doyle, Director, Animal Welfare Centre, University of Edinburgh and Contributing Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute
From FAO’s perspective, Junxia Song highlighted the central role of prevention. Through its RENOFARM initiative, animal welfare forms part of efforts to keep animals healthy and reduce the need for antimicrobials.
Put prevention at the centre of efforts to address AMR and engage the private sector to translate policy and knowledge into action. Start by asking why infections occur, whether they could have been prevented, and what conditions farmers need to prevent them — with animal welfare forming part of this prevention approach.
– Junxia Song, Deputy Chief Veterinarian and Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch, Food and Agriculture Organisation
The discussion encouraged stakeholders to reflect on the following questions when addressing AMR: why did an infection occur, could it have been prevented, and what conditions would enable prevention?
Theo Knight-Jones of GBADs further highlighted an important evidence gap. While the links between animal welfare, animal health and AMR are increasingly recognised, the full range and scale of the benefits are not yet sufficiently quantified. Better evidence on economic, health, livelihood and environmental outcomes can help inform investment decisions.
“Strengthen the quantification of the benefits of animal welfare interventions. Capturing their wider impacts — including for animal health, human health, livelihoods, AMR and the environment — is important for making a stronger case for investment.”
– Theo Knight-Jones, Scientist, Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs)
Animal welfare at the heart of One Health in agrifood systems
The side event demonstrated the value of bringing animal welfare into wider discussions on prevention, AMR, agrifood-system resilience and sustainable production.
Poor welfare conditions can increase disease susceptibility and transmission, contribute to AMR and food-safety risks, and increase epidemic and pandemic risks, while higher-welfare, integrated and extensive systems can support animal and human health while delivering environmental benefits.
The next step is to translate this growing recognition into implementation through policies, standards, investment, and practical support that enable higher-welfare systems to become part of One Health action.
Read WFA’s briefing to explore the evidence and recommendations for integrating animal welfare into One Health.
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