Animal Health And Sustainability (planet and humans health)

To discuss the two concepts: animal health and sustainability, we must remind that ASF (Animal Source Foods) have a big role for human health, but animals are assumed to have an important negative role on the environment. Indeed, ASF can compromise human health, both in excess and in deficiency, so a proper amount is important. Environment impact of farmed animals: land occupation, GHG emissions, energy use and water utilization, acidification and eutrophication, must be minimized reducing ASF consumption, as well as increasing productivity/efficiency. For this, besides genetics, feeding and good management, the hygienic-sanitary and comfort conditions to ensure a good health and well-being are therefore essential. Animal health, important to avoid zoonosis and food-born diseases, can also cause economic and socio-economic losses (lower production-productivity and profitability) with direct and indirect effects on planet health. Nevertheless, there are big differences between developing and developed countries: in the first a prevalence of endemic infectious diseases and parasites is observed, but a lack of tools to restrain them; in DC there is a decline of the above diseases, but an increase of stress-related diseases. Their reduction is equally important, but with different strategies: in developing countries the means of prevention and treatment are needed, while in developed ones it is necessary to use drugs correctly (to reduce residues, especially antimicrobials) and improve the living conditions of animals (welfare).