Prevention and control in livestock productions mean more food safety, more food security and good health

Zoonoses poses risks for both human and animal health. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further increases these risks; for this reason, a coordinated approach is necessary. Unfortunately, food-borne diseases pose a higher risk in developing countries.

As we already discussed, for a global action against AMR, no one must be left behind¹. Yet, the fact that developing countries still have no suitable infrastructure, economic and social support for rural and livestock development makes things worse.

Household hygiene conditions are a challenge for poor populations². Moreover, their access to clean water and sanitation facilities is compromised. These critical issues create the best environment for microorganisms to proliferate and spread. Therefore, AMR and zoonotic diseases are not problems related solely to the way animal are farmed.

The challenge is bigger than we think.

The livestock sector is facing requests to continue ensuring food safety and security, while reducing environmental impacts.

Pressures for improved animal welfare is further arising, and our sector still has difficulties in raising consumers’ awareness about how we have actually improved.

The dairy sector is conscious of all these aspects, and countries are taking steps towards solutions to tackle the development of new zoonoses and to reverse the pattern of AMR³. And, of course, to improve animal welfare.

At global livestock level, what could we do? Prevention is the best way to tackle AMR. Relying on the intensive use of antimicrobials is no longer possible, since this is the primary cause of AMR.

The way is rational, prudent and only when strictly necessary use of antimicrobials. The market for inputs for the livestock sector is working to provide alternative solutions. OZOLEA is proudly one of them.

However, it is worth stressing that the fight against AMR involves also human medicine. On this ground, humans, too, when treating diseases, should be sure that antibiotics are necessary and the preventive use of such products is not the correct way to act. Sadly, scientific literature is showing how Covid-9 may worsen the development of AMR.

For human health and well-being, the livestock sector is vital for providing nutritious and healthy foods.

Meat and meat products, dairy products, eggs and other foods of animal origin are a valuable source of high-biological-value proteins, fat and other functional compounds, including vitamins and minerals. All these nutrients have, in different ways, roles in ensuring humans’ balanced growth at cognitive and physical level.

A healthy and balanced diet is undeniably essential to human lives.

In this context, proper management in livestock production becomes essential to continue ensuring food security for a growing population. Attention to biosecurity, prevention, control and use of right tools to fight AMR can guarantee food safety from primary production.

However, considering how human health, animal health, nutrition and environment are strictly interconnected, the problem of AMR cannot be ascribed only to livestock farming. For these reasons, a One-Health⁴ approach is the way to consider and face this big challenge.

OZOLEA’s SSafeMILK project was developed for an action against AMR. By applying tools and protocols designed by OZOLEA, which are sustainable, effective and affordable for any farmer, the SSafeMILK project is intended to tackle the global emergency of AMR and aggressively reduce the use of antibiotics in farming animals.