The roles of veterinarians in meeting the challenges of health and welfare of livestock and global food security

As the world population grows and middleclass incomes rise, demand for livestock products increases—a consumption boom shaped by two decade of rapid economic growth and globalization. But there are certain high impact diseases that do not allow animal husbandry to flourish. Less dramatic diseases also impact the performance of farm animals, leading to lower production efficiencies and associated financial losses due to mortality and morbidity. Also, poor animal health in turn negatively influences animal welfare. In fact, studies have demonstrated that there is a direct correlation between the quality of livestock production and the provision of veterinary services. 2 Given that food animals support the livelihoods and nourishment of almost a billion people, efforts should be directed at upholding food security. In this regard, farm-oriented veterinary professionals should advise farmers and owners of livestock or managers of animal production systems on the most appropriate herd health management practices according to local and regional agro-ecological contexts. This extends beyond the treatment of animal illnesses or the implementation of preventive measures, such as strengthened biosecurity, programmed de-worming or vaccination, but also addresses housing, nutrition, cleaning, and environmental sanitation. The correct undertaking of latter practices will likely reduce the usage of veterinary medications and care, thereby reducing input and labor costs, which in turn positively influences farm productivity and profit margins. The veterinarian's job extends to advisory and hands-on tasks throughout the value chain such as, for instance, in ante-and post-mortem inspections and further food safety interventions to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply to consumers. Also, veterinarians make sure that healthy animals are exported, imported, and distributed, The classical view of a veterinarian as a person qualified to practice veterinary medicine has lead most people to think that their clinical practices are related to the prevention, cure or alleviation of pain and treatment of injuries in animals, especially domestic animals. Though these roles are very important, the contemporary roles undertaken by veterinarians go far beyond these more visible tasks, and this is the reason why there is a need for far greater awareness in the public eye. It must be recognized that as the world becomes intricately interconnected and more complex, so are the various obligations and responsibilities that veterinary professionals must undertake. Over the years veterinary professionals have played significant and contributory roles in animal and human interlinked with wildlife conservation efforts and the protection of the environment and biodiversity. …