Global report urges stronger investment in cattle health to meet climate, food goals

GLOBAL – A new report has called on governments and agribusinesses to give greater attention to cattle health, stating that doing so can support climate targets, boost food security, and improve rural incomes.

Released during the UN Food Systems Summit +4, the report titled Healthy Herds for Sustainable Production shows how healthy cattle can bring major benefits with little added cost.

HealthforAnimals and the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) prepared the report together.

It provides clear examples and data to show how improved animal care can reduce methane emissions, increase meat and milk output, and make cattle farming more profitable.

“Healthier cattle deliver a triple win,” said Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, Executive Director of HealthforAnimals.

“When animals are vaccinated and protected against disease, herds ultimately emit less, earn more for producers, and strengthen the food supply. This report shows how governments and the value chain can unlock that potential.”

Urgent need for smarter climate solutions

The timing of the report is key. Countries are preparing to revise their climate plans ahead of the COP30 conference in Brazil and are still far from meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

But while the report lays out a clear case for action, it also highlights a gap in global spending.

According to the findings, only 0.01–0.02% of global climate finance goes to livestock health. This is despite support from major organizations like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank, and the World Organisation for Animal Health.

“These findings provide clear evidence for how better livestock health can help meet emissions targets, improve efficiency, and support the communities that depend on cattle,” said Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of GRSB.

The report features real-world results. In Brazil, cattle breeders reduced emissions by 37.8% and land use by 37.3% by using reproductive health tools.

In East Africa, efforts to prevent East Coast Fever led to a 27% rise in productivity and up to 40% less emissions per animal. European producers working to wipe out Bovine Viral Diarrhea saw a five-to-one return on their investments.

Next steps for policymakers

To support action, two new tools have been released alongside the report. How to Advance NDCs and Climate Strategies through Animal Health – A Step-by-Step Guide and Financing for Animal Health – A Gap in the Sustainability Agenda are now available to help policymakers plan and fund cattle health programs.

As global leaders gather in Addis Ababa to track progress since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, the report adds weight to calls for simple, science-backed solutions.

It stresses that better livestock care should not be limited to large producers alone. Smallholder farmers can also benefit if governments and the private sector work together to close funding gaps and apply what works.

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