June 9, 2020

Letter by agriculture bodies concerned over unproven COVID-19 claims

Unfounded claims, that allege livestock and modern agriculture as a source of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk distracting the global public health response, according to an open letter signed by leading academics and joined by North American and international organisations that represent millions of farmers, producers and veterinarians.

The letter -- whose signatories include the Animal Agriculture Alliance, World Veterinary Assn. and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) -- also noted that "animal agriculture can offer lessons for wildlife zoonois management as part of the long-term pandemic preparedness.

Highlighting that livestock production is safe, the letter urges governments to reassure consumers about the safety of meat, milk, eggs and fish. It also calls upon authorities to work with farmers and veterinarians to share lessons and expertise on animal health.

Additionally, the letter seeks support for consultation with livestock experts, including farmers and other stakeholders in the feed and food chain, to understand how to aid their efforts to feed communities.

Currently, 1.3 billion people in the world depend on livestock for their employment and billions more rely on livestock to provide food for their families, the letter stated.

- Feedstuffs