Essential Veterinary Services for Global Food Safety

Agriculture is a cornerstone of global development, providing food security, employment, and income for billions of people, especially in rural areas where farming remains the primary source of livelihood. Within this system, the livestock sector holds a central position. It contributes more than 40 percent of global agricultural GDP and supports the survival and economic well-being of nearly 1.3 billion people (World Bank, 2023). Beyond food, livestock provides essential services, draft power, manure for soil fertility, and cultural value, making it far more than just a source of meat, milk, or fiber.

At the heart of livestock productivity lies animal health, and this is where veterinary services become indispensable. From vaccination campaigns to the diagnosis and treatment of disease, veterinarians ensure that herds remain healthy and productive. Healthy animals mean higher yields of milk, meat, and eggs, as well as better quality products that can meet both domestic nutritional needs and international trade standards. This link between veterinary care and economic stability is particularly important for low- and middle-income countries, where livestock often represents a family’s most assets.

The role of veterinarians extends beyond farm gates. They are frontline defenders against zoonotic diseases, pathogens that can jump from animals to humans, which account for over 60 percent of known infectious diseases in people (WHO, 2022). Rabies, avian influenza, and brucellosis are stark reminders of the human costs when veterinary systems are weak. By safeguarding animal health, veterinarians protect public health, strengthen food safety, and build trust in food systems.

In an era marked by climate change, shifting disease patterns, and growing food demand, veterinary services are not a luxury but a necessity. They are a critical investment in resilient agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, and global health security (Giller et al., 2021).

Veterinary Services: Foundation of Animal Health, Food Safety, and Economic Growth

Veterinary services represent one of the most essential yet often underappreciated pillars of agriculture and public health. Broadly defined, they encompass all activities aimed at safeguarding animal health and welfare. This includes preventive measures such as vaccinations, deworming, and biosecurity protocols, as well as diagnostic services, clinical treatment, and herd health management. Their scope, however, extends far beyond clinical care. Veterinarians and paraprofessionals play an integral role in food safety inspection, antibiotic stewardship, and public health surveillance. They are the critical link between livestock health, consumer protection, and national economic resilience (FAO, 2023).

The delivery of veterinary services takes many forms depending on production systems. Commercial farms rely heavily on herd-level health management, precision nutrition, and data-driven disease prevention to maximize efficiency. Smallholder farms, which form the backbone of rural economies, often depend on individualized and mobile veterinary services that protect their few animals, often the most valuable household assets. Organic systems, meanwhile, emphasize natural interventions, preventive strategies, and welfare-centered practices required for certification. Each of these models illustrates the adaptability and wide-ranging importance of veterinary services across agricultural landscapes.

The value of veterinary care becomes clear when examining its impact on livestock health. Infectious diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease or Avian Influenza can devastate herds, with mortality rates exceeding 20% and survivors experiencing productivity losses of up to 50%. These losses translate into a staggering $300 billion in annual damage worldwide (OIE, 2023). Systematic preventive measures are transformative. For example, brucellosis vaccination has reduced disease prevalence in cattle populations by more than 70% within five years (Jost et al., 2021). Beyond infectious threats, veterinary guidance on nutrition, housing, and welfare improves reproductive performance and reduces dependence on antimicrobials, helping slow the advance of antimicrobial resistance.

The economic case for veterinary services is equally compelling. Research indicates that every $1 invested in preventive care generates between $5 and $10 in avoided losses and improved productivity (FAO, 2023). Dairy herds that implement veterinary-guided mastitis control often record milk yield increases of 15–25%, while targeted deworming programs in ruminants can boost weight gain by up to 30% (Capper, 2021). These improvements directly enhance farm profitability and strengthen resilience to market volatility and environmental stress.

Veterinarians also safeguard food systems. From the farm through slaughterhouses and processing facilities, they ensure that meat, milk, and eggs meet health and safety standards. Their oversight minimizes risks from pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, regulates antibiotic use to prevent harmful residues, and enforces animal welfare practices that affect product quality. The World Health Organization estimates that foodborne diseases affect 600 million people annually, a burden that could be significantly reduced through strong veterinary oversight (WHO, 2022).

At the macroeconomic level, veterinary services are strategic assets for national economies. A single outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza can result in mass culling, trade embargoes, and losses running into billions of dollars. Conversely, countries with OIE-recognized veterinary infrastructure maintain stable export markets and consumer confidence. In Pakistan, livestock contributes approximately PKR 5.5 trillion (around $20 billion) annually, with continued growth contingent on effective veterinary systems and adherence to international sanitary standards (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2023–24).

Ultimately, veterinary services are not just about treating animals. They are a foundation for agricultural productivity, food safety, and economic prosperity. By protecting animal health, veterinarians protect livelihoods, public health, and national economies, making investment in this sector a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Challenges and Future Directions for Veterinary Services in Sustainable Agriculture

Veterinary services stand at the intersection of animal health, food security, and human well-being, yet their effectiveness is often undermined by significant challenges. Accessibility remains the foremost barrier, particularly in developing regions where the shortage of veterinary professionals is acute. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE, 2023) estimates a global deficit of more than 100,000 veterinarians, with the sharpest gaps concentrated in rural Africa and Asia. These areas, where livestock are central to household survival, are often left underserved, leaving farmers to depend on informal providers with limited expertise. Even when services are available, affordability becomes another obstacle. For many smallholder farmers, the cost of veterinary care is prohibitive, leading to untreated illnesses, reduced productivity, and in some cases, herd losses that push families deeper into poverty. Infrastructure gaps exacerbate the problem: inadequate diagnostic laboratories, weak surveillance networks, and insufficient vaccine storage facilities compromise disease prevention and control efforts. At the same time, climate change is reshaping disease landscapes, intensifying heat stress in animals, and expanding the spread of vector-borne diseases, further stretching already fragile veterinary systems (IPCC, 2022).

Despite these constraints, veterinary services remain indispensable for building sustainable agriculture. Healthy animals not only perform better but also consume feed more efficiently, lowering methane and nitrogen emissions per unit of production. Veterinarians also guide practices such as manure management, pasture rotation, and integrated pest management, all of which close nutrient cycles and reduce environmental pressure (Garnett et al., 2023). In this way, veterinary care supports not just farm profitability but also food safety, human health, and the resilience of rural communities.

Looking ahead, the future of veterinary services will be shaped by technology and integrated approaches. Telemedicine, AI-based diagnostics, and wearable monitoring devices are making remote animal care increasingly possible, bridging gaps in access. Precision veterinary medicine, supported by data analytics, will enable more tailored interventions, predicting disease risks before they escalate. The adoption of the “One Health” framework will deepen collaboration between veterinarians, medical professionals, and environmental experts to address global threats such as antimicrobial resistance and pandemic preparedness. Finally, with climate change reshaping agriculture, veterinary services will play a central role in developing climate-smart practices and heat-tolerant breeds to safeguard productivity (Rockström et al., 2023). Together, these innovations position veterinary services not only as defenders of animal health but as key architects of a sustainable agricultural future.

Conclusion

Veterinary services are far more than an auxiliary component of agriculture; they are central to the stability and growth of the global food system. By safeguarding animal health, they protect livelihoods, strengthen food safety, and shield communities from zoonotic threats. Their economic value is equally undeniable, as preventive veterinary care consistently delivers high returns by reducing losses, improving yields, and securing international trade opportunities. Yet, the reality is that these services remain out of reach for many of the smallholder farmers who need them most. Shortages of trained professionals, weak infrastructure, and the high costs of care leave critical gaps, particularly in regions where livestock serve as the backbone of household survival.

At the same time, the future offers immense promise. Advances in telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and precision veterinary practices are beginning to transform the sector, while the One Health approach highlights the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental well-being. Climate change will test the resilience of both livestock and veterinary systems, but it will also accelerate innovation in sustainable animal management. In this light, investing in veterinary services is not optional, it is a prerequisite for sustainable agriculture, resilient rural economies, and global health security. Their strengthening will shape not just the future of farming but the health and prosperity of societies worldwide.

References: Capper; FAO; Garnett et al; Giller et al; IPCC; Jost et al; OIE; Government of Pakistan; Rockström et al; World Bank; WHO

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan and can be reached at umairkhan78710@gmail.com

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