FAO Urges Global Action to Combat Transboundary Animal Diseases
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has called on countries worldwide to strengthen cooperation and secure sustainable funding to tackle transboundary animal diseases (TADs), warning that they pose a significant threat to global food security and economic stability.
Speaking at an FAO information session in Rome on the new Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD), Qu highlighted that recent funding cuts risk undoing decades of progress in managing these highly contagious diseases. “The cost of prevention is far lower than the cost of inaction,” he said.
A Growing Global Threat
TADs are diseases that spread rapidly across borders, affecting livestock, aquaculture, and sometimes wildlife. Major outbreaks in recent years include African swine fever, which has spread to over 50 countries since 2007; Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which triggered a major outbreak in Europe in 2025; and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The economic impact of TADs is severe. The global farmed animal sector, valued between USD 1.6–3.3 trillion, faces losses ranging from USD 48–330 billion annually due to outbreaks, while aquaculture experiences an additional USD 10 billion in yearly disease-related losses. In endemic regions, FMD alone can cost USD 21 billion per year in lost production and vaccination efforts.
Beyond economic losses, TADs threaten livelihoods, disrupt trade, compromise food safety, and can increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance. With growing global demand for livestock and aquaculture products, and with 1.9 billion people dependent on these industries, the stakes are higher than ever.
FAO Leadership and Partnerships
Since 2004, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have co-led the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), coordinating efforts to mitigate the impact of TADs on food security, trade, and livelihoods. FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) supports over 50 countries with disease intelligence, rapid response, and field coordination.
Recognizing the need for sustainable, long-term solutions, FAO has launched the Global Partnership Programme for TADs. The initiative focuses on shared responsibility, country-led leadership, and coordinated action with regional bodies, the private sector, and financial institutions.
A Sustainable, Inclusive Approach
The GPP-TAD introduces a tiered funding model that accounts for countries’ varying capacities. High-income countries contribute base funding, middle-income countries provide moderate financial or in-kind support, and low-income countries offer primarily in-kind assistance supported by solidarity funds. The program aims to reduce outbreaks, minimize economic losses, and strengthen animal health systems globally.
“No country can manage these diseases alone,” Qu emphasized. “This programme is how we protect our livestock, our economies, and our shared future.”
By fostering international cooperation and long-term investment, the FAO hopes to prevent future crises and ensure the resilience of global food systems.
