FAO Launches Global Partnership to Strengthen Livestock Disease Control

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a new Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) to strengthen global efforts against livestock diseases that spread across national borders. The programme aims to improve disease prevention, surveillance and emergency response through closer cooperation between governments, veterinary agencies, researchers and international organisations.

FAO says the growing movement of animals and animal products, changing climate patterns and increased international trade are making disease outbreaks more frequent and more difficult to control. Diseases such as avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and New World screwworm continue to threaten livestock production, food security and rural livelihoods in many parts of the world.

The new partnership marks a shift from project-based support to a long-term, country-driven approach. Instead of responding only after outbreaks occur, FAO wants countries to invest more in preparedness, early detection and coordinated disease control.

The programme encourages governments to strengthen veterinary services, improve laboratory networks, expand disease surveillance and share information more quickly across borders. FAO believes stronger partnerships will help countries respond faster before diseases spread widely.

Livestock Diseases Carry Huge Economic Costs

Animal disease outbreaks can lead to large economic losses through livestock deaths, reduced milk and meat production, trade restrictions and higher disease-control costs.

FAO warns that low- and middle-income countries are often the hardest hit because many rural families depend on livestock for income, nutrition and employment. Even a single outbreak can disrupt local markets and affect national food supplies.

The organisation also notes that some livestock diseases can spread to humans, making animal health an important part of the One Health approach, which links the health of people, animals and the environment.

A major focus of the partnership is improving early warning systems.

FAO says countries need better monitoring of livestock movement, stronger laboratory capacity and faster reporting of suspected disease outbreaks. Early detection allows veterinary authorities to isolate infected animals, control movement and begin vaccination or other control measures before diseases spread further.

The programme also promotes greater collaboration between neighbouring countries because livestock diseases do not stop at national borders. Sharing surveillance data and coordinating response plans can reduce the risk of regional outbreaks.

Protecting Farmers and Food Security

Healthy livestock are essential for the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Better disease surveillance, stronger veterinary services and faster emergency response can reduce production losses while protecting domestic and international livestock trade.

FAO says the Global Partnership Programme is designed to help countries build resilient animal health systems that can respond more effectively to future disease threats. As climate change and global trade continue to increase disease risks, stronger international cooperation will become increasingly important for protecting farmers, livestock and global food security.