58 Section 3
productivity, higher biodiversity, enhanced connectivity between habitat
patches and better animal welfare (Broom et al., 2013). Positive impacts for
workers, who like the work and stay in the job longer than people working
on conventional farms, have also been reported (Calle et al., 2009). The nu-
tritional quality of the animal feed also impacts on the animal’s health and
well-being, as well as on the meat nutritional content.
There is a link between the economic aspects of farm production, ethical pro-
duction and food security. There are complex interrelationships between animal
welfare issues, economics, climate change, sustainability and food security, and
how these may contribute to rethinking consumption habits. This is an area
where more can be done to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and joint
work approaches. For example, cross-sectoral studies of human and animal food
security would help to develop improved emergency planning for destocking and
restocking of livestock in pastoralist production systems (Zinsstag et al., 2015).
The environment, especially the soil and climate, is critical for food
security and sustainability. Certain farming production systems can have
negative impacts on the environment as a result of, for example, gas emis-
sions, deforestation or soil erosion resulting from intensive feed crop culti-
vation. More could be done to move towards sustainable farming systems
that minimize climate and environmental impacts for the benefit of all.
The availability of natural resources such as land, fossil fuels and water is cru-
cial for livestock farming, in particular to grow crops for animal feed. Few studies,
however, recognize or explore these links further, alongside their effects on wild
populations, in terms of conservation and the likelihood of infectious hazards
which are within the scope of One Health. These aspects could be explored fur-
ther by using a One Health, One Welfare approach in research and development.
Case Study 16 – Triple wins in milk and beef production (adapted from World
Animal Protection, 2014)
The world is facing major challenges developing sustainable livestock production
systems that can deliver against growing demands for meat and milk production.
These systems must also demonstrate environmental stewardship and ensure that
the essential aspects of sustainability, including animal welfare and livelihoods,
are properly respected. This case study reveals one such solution: silvopastoral
beef and dairy production.
In many Latin American countries, cattle ranching has traditionally relied on
extensive systems, with few animals per hectare raised on grass. While it has a
range of benefits, this type of cattle ranching provides limited feed quality.
Intensive silvopastoral systems have the potential to deliver much more feed
from the land, through the planting of protein- and mineral-rich grasses and
shrubs such as Leucaena (legume bushes). By growing plants, shrubs and trees, a
three-dimensional feed source is created. The quality and quantity of the feed
source delivered in situ is greater. The additional plant matter (plus root density)
and biodegradable material can increase soil quality and water retention, as well
as increasing carbon retention in the soil.Continued