ONE Health Live
Examining the issues of importance to animals, humans and the environment to help those across the food production system better understand the issues from a science-based perspective.
ONE Health Live
Beyond borders: Animal disease and global food security
What happens when the world's most traded meat faces a potential unprecedented global health crisis? The International Poultry Council's Secretary General Nicolo Cinotti joins hosts Sarah Muirhead and Dennis Erpelding to tackle the complex intersection of avian influenza, international trade, and food security.
The conversation delves deep into the critical role of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in establishing science-based standards that enable safe global trade while protecting animal health. Founded in 1924—predating even the World Health Organization—WOAH provides the regulatory framework that underpins international poultry commerce and disease control efforts worldwide.
Vaccination emerges as the most hotly debated topic in global poultry health today. As Cinotti explains, "How, where, when, with what expectation and, above all, in which way the strategy should be implemented is still a set of questions that await univocal answers." This highlights the tension between necessary disease control and maintaining vital food supply chains. The discussion explores how an effective response requires both rigorous prevention through enhanced biosecurity and thoughtful preparedness through scenario planning.
Perhaps most compelling is the call for a fundamental shift in how we approach global health challenges: "Infectious diseases do not recognize border nor political administrations." This reality demands unprecedented cooperation between public and private sectors. The International Poultry Council exemplifies this collaborative approach by working directly with WOAH to develop practical solutions that balance health protection with food security concerns. As climate change and globalization intensify disease pressures, these partnerships will be increasingly essential for protecting both animal welfare and human nutrition worldwide.
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