14 September 2022

Actions in Animal Health Sustainability

Australia’s animal health sector is committed to the global effort to achieve a more sustainable future.

We recognise that the global vision of a more sustainable future cannot be achieved by one sector alone – the UN’s aspiration to ensure a better and more sustainable future for all will only be achieved through coordinated, collaborative action.

By harnessing our expertise and collaborative networks, our products are helping Australian farmers, vets and pet owners realise this vision – from reducing both our own emissions and assisting farmers reduce theirs, to ensuring their businesses remain viable and providing high quality, safe, nutritious food to Australians and people around the world.

Improving animal health is the foundation for more sustainable future food systems.

With less than a decade to deliver the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the triple threat of climate change, hunger and pandemic recovery, business as usual is not enough. In Australia, animal health and welfare is held at a high standard and, coupled with Australia’s strong biosecurity activities, these standards have enabled Australia to be free of the major global epidemic diseases of livestock. The continued loss of one in every five animals to disease worldwide, however, is not sustainable to the positive contribution of agriculture in tackling these global challenges. Australia must maintain and improve its high standards of animal health, welfare and biosecurity.

Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets in the Pandemic report revealed that Australians are welcoming more animals into their homes as companions. An estimated 30.4 million pets across 69 per cent of households now call Australia home – and 70 per cent of survey respondents reported that being pet owners improved their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian farmers and veterinarians are already charting the course towards greater sustainability but need more support. Developing policies, partnerships and technologies that improve animal health will contribute to improved sustainability outcomes for Australia’s agricultural sector, as well as a society that is increasingly welcoming pets into their households.

Increasing the availability of veterinary services and supporting farmers to adopt best practices can allow animal agriculture to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population while reducing our environmental footprint.

Australia’s animal health sector is committed to championing this global movement by continuing to build upon our actions, collaborate with others and support our farmers, veterinarians and pet owners in achieving their own sustainability goals.

AMA Actions in Animal Health Sustainability 2022

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