Giving away the farm...?

There are statements which are bold, claims which are brave...then there are declarations like the one in this piece from Food Navigator. 

The report featured in the article concludes that, as far as inviting pandemic trouble in goes, intensive farming of animals is 'the single most risky human behaviour'. 

Under any circumstances this claim may well have been contested by anyone recently returned from a holiday in Rio. However, the fact that the report was published by ProVeg International, whose stated aim is to halve global animal consumption by 2040, meant that a challenge from the farming sector was inevitable. Sure enough, the rebuttal was as swift as expected, from the European Livestock and Meat Trading Union (UECBV).

Certainly ProVeg's ideological goals mean that the report should be read with this as context. That in itself does not mean they have not raised valid points that might inform current and future pandemic controls.

ProVeg's point is that around 75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic in nature and the increasing level of our interaction with animals is driving this. In particular, our continuing modification of the natural environment to drive production figures and our proximity to animals on modern intensive farms. 

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) states that the lack of space afforded to animals in intensive farming environments does heighten the potential for pathogen spread, but denies that it is the sole or most important risk. UECBV unsurprisingly agrees and joins the ECDC in blaming mass travel and a rapidly growing human population.

Clear so far? Yes, as expected, all contributors to the debate highlight areas which support their business sector / ideology / area of responsibility... However, the report is instructive and one thing that all parties seemingly agree on is the detrimental effect of changes in land use and reductions in biodiversity, and the dangers of uncontrolled agricultural expansion.

A valid point here, as in any similar debate, is that any potentially unsafe activity is only as risky as the controls in place allow it to be. Biosecurity must continue to be a focus and processes across the food industry need to constantly risk assess and revise practices where necessary to ensure safety and sustainability.

The report may also give the UK government pause for thought before agreeing to any reduction in agricultural standards as part of a post-Brexit trade deal...