Dr. Sharmini Julita Paramasivam, Associate Professor of Veterinary Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Surrey, and Luisa Soares, Lecturer in Production Animal Medicine at the University of Surrey, share their perspectives on sustainable agricultural practices, improving animal welfare standards, and the contribution of veterinarians to food systems.
Evidence shows that healthy and emotionally content animals not only enjoy a higher quality of life but also contribute to the production of higher-quality food. Good welfare means more than just meeting basic needs; it involves creating an environment in which animals can thrive and express natural behaviours. Striking a balance between high welfare standards and achieving productivity can be challenging. This is where the role of veterinarians becomes crucial, particularly in the livestock sector.
Veterinarians provide essential services such as disease prevention, treatment planning, reproductive management, herd health management, and monitoring — all of which directly impact the quality and safety of animal products. Beyond clinical work, they also act as educators, offering farmers advice on best practices in animal husbandry and ethical farm management. This requires building strong working relationships with farmers who bear the responsibility for animal care.
Furthermore, agricultural production has environmental impacts, and there is a strong push toward sustainable practices. This means meeting current needs without causing negative effects on the environment. The concept of "One Health, One Medicine" has been widely adopted by veterinarians in animal production practices, and their decision-making processes also consider other factors such as soil health, biodiversity, and environmental impact.
Sustainable livestock farming and high standards of animal welfare are integral parts of a healthy food system. Veterinarians make important contributions to this by ensuring that their practices are both environmentally sustainable and ethically sound. Their work strengthens the close links between animal care, public health, and environmental management.
