Farmed Animals as Overlooked Stakeholders

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are globally used by governments and organizations to provide a framework in order to achieve social, economic, and environmental development issues by 2030.  The role of farmed animals is only briefly covered in SDG 3 emphasizes the promotion of health and well-being, while SDG 14 gives importance to the life of water SDG 15 focuses on protecting terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. SDG 17 highlights the importance of global partnerships to address shared challenges. 

While the SDGs advocate for balance and sustainability,  global consumption patterns present a contrasting reality, particularly in the context of the treatment of farmed animals.  

The number of animals raised for food in the Philippines increased from 511.34 million in 2000 to a staggering 1.2 billion in 2022, underscoring the growing demand for meat. This exponential rise in production is driven by consumer demand and economic shifts, but it also highlights the immense pressure placed on ecosystems and the welfare of farmed animals to live in unsafe conditions. 

The Five Domains of Animal Welfare—physical health, nutrition, environment, behavior, and mental state—offer a holistic framework for ensuring animal well-being. The Philippine Animal Welfare Act reinforces the importance of safeguarding animals from neglect and abuse. However, farmed animals remain particularly vulnerable to harm, especially in the context of disasters. Philipines is one of the countries with the greatest exposure to disaster worldwide. 

Farmed Animals and Disasters

Disasters exclude no one, including animals. 

Disasters such as floods, droughts, and volcanic eruptions expose the vulnerabilities of farmed animals, which often go unnoticed in disaster management plans. Animals face risks such as drowning, injuries from structural collapses, respiratory distress from volcanic ash, and heat stress during El Niño events. For example, over 11,500 farmed animals in Negros died from heat stress, illustrating the severe impacts of neglecting animal welfare during emergencies.

More importantly, farmed animals are facing a big threat due to the continuous rise of biological risks such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza  (AI) or Bird Flu. 

African Swine Fever or ASF is a highly contagious disease of swine and is classified as a notifiable transboundary disease due to its high virulence, high mortality rate, and very high socio-economic impact. Spread through direct contact with infected pigs, feces or body fluids or indirect contact via fomites such as equipment, vehicles or people who work with pigs between pig farms with ineffective biosecurity.  Since the detection of ASF in 2019, 89% (73 out of 82) of the provinces were already affected with 5 million pigs already killed according to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines which resulted in approximately PHP 200 billion or more losses.

Bird Flu or Avian Influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral disease of both domestic and wild birds. This disease caused by Orthomyxovirus occasionally affects mammals including humans. In April 2024, Bird Flu virus killed 4,475 birds out of a flock of 60,529 on a farm in the province of Leyte. As many as 10 million chickens have been culled in the Philippines due to avian influenza as of July 2022.

Research highlights the potential for a human AI-driven pandemic to have devastating consequences, with estimates suggesting it could result in up to a billion deaths. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the H5 bird flu is prevalent among wild birds globally, leading to outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. Alarmingly, several recent cases have been documented among U.S. poultry and dairy workers.

Additionally, disrupted supply chains, contaminated water, and overcrowding further compound these risks, leading to disease outbreaks like African Swine Fever (ASF) and avian flu. Typhoon Carina, for instance, was linked to ASF outbreaks due to poor sanitation during flooding. Such diseases pose significant threats to public health and underline the cascading risks that disasters can trigger, from economic losses to social instability.

In the Philippines, several initiatives reflect growing recognition of the need to integrate animal welfare into disaster response. Programs like the SURE-Aid Taal Calamity Assistance Program and Batangas’ Provincial Contingency Plan for Small and Large Ruminants provide essential support such as shelter, transport, and health monitoring for affected animals. Regular disease surveillance by agencies like the Department of Agriculture’s Regulatory Division also strengthens preparedness. However, significant gaps remain in implementing widespread measures to protect vulnerable farmed animals.

Farmed Animals and Cascading Risks

Disasters frequently trigger or exacerbate the spread of animal diseases. African Swine Fever (ASF), for instance, thrives in unhygienic conditions, with flooding cited as a trigger during Typhoon Carina. Similarly, bird flu outbreaks, such as H5N1, pose escalating risks to both animal and human populations. Research suggests that a human pandemic from H5N1 could result in catastrophic consequences, with up to a billion deaths projected.

The cascading risks from disasters to diseases emphasize the interconnectedness of ecosystems and highlight the potential for worsening consequences if these issues are not addressed holistically.

For instance, disasters like droughts degrade air quality, worsen hygiene, and amplify zoonotic disease risks, such as anthrax, which threatens both livestock and public health. Flooding, as seen in Typhoon Carina, has been linked to ASF outbreaks, while bird flu outbreaks near human populations underline the threat of zoonotic spillover. These examples demonstrate how disasters can cascade into health crises, economic losses, and social instability.

One Health Approach

Such complex challenges demand a framework that bridges human, animal, and environmental health—a principle embodied in the One Health approach.

The One Health framework recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, advocating for collaboration across sectors to mitigate risks and build resilience. By adopting this approach, governments, communities, and organizations can strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to threats that affect both humans and animals, aligning with global goals for sustainability and disaster preparedness.

Call to Action

As disasters become increasingly frequent and severe, we call on researchers, academics, and DRRM experts to prioritize these critical areas of study and action. Their contributions are vital in crafting strategies that can better address future catastrophic events that the farmed animals are facing. Second, communities must be empowered as decision-makers and co-creators in mitigating these disasters.  Lastly, this moment also presents a unique opportunity for cross-sectoral collaboration. By working together, we can bridge gaps and develop comprehensive solutions that address these pressing issues.

By addressing the needs of animals, we can mitigate the risks of disease outbreaks, protect ecosystems, and foster a sustainable society. This inclusive approach represents a critical step forward in building resilient communities where no one—human or animal—is left behind.