Othieno Joseph
24 April 2008
opinion
Nairobi — FOOD SECURITY IS A CENTRAL issue that affects peace, development and health in society. Livestock minister Mohammed Kuti says Kenya is currently not allowed to sell its meat in the international market due to low production standards.
The challenge is, therefore, to address these standards, an exercise that must start at the stables rather than on the dining tables.
There exists a strong correlation between animal welfare, public health, food security and poverty alleviation. If the food we eat is secure, so will be our health. And when we are healthy, we will be strong enough to engage in economic activities, and therefore fight poverty.
This issue cannot be underestimated especially at a time when a food crisis looms in Kenya.
The economic losses caused by animal diseases are enormous and impact negatively on food security.
In 2001/2003, more than a million animals were slaughtered in Europe to control the foot-and-mouth disease. Britain incurred $8 billion losses due to the mad cow disease.
Today in Kenya, over 13 million shoats may be wiped out by the pestis des petit ruminants (PPR) if the disease isn't controlled on time.
Kenya should seize this opportunity to ensure food security by taking advantage of animal food sources to cushion against dwindling plant food sources.
It's unfortunate that animal welfare issues do not get enough attention whenever such crises occur, yet they form the first block in the domino effect. The ban on Kenya meat is a timely example; this will deny Government income that would have been used to buy food.
Animal welfare is about recognising that animals aren't economic commodities, but sentient beings capable of experiencing negative sensations and emotions, thus calling for maximum attention akin to that accorded to humans, if they are to produce maximally.
Animal welfare is under constant threat from human-imposed constraints; an animal's lifestyle is weighed against the standards of "efficient" production. Intensive farming systems degrade the environment and stress the animal, reducing its immunity to disease.
The situation is worse in developing countries that lack resources and manpower to handle animal welfare concerns.
This explains the incessant outbreak of preventable diseases in Africa, which is home to the largest percentage of the 800 million people likely to suffer from hunger.
But where animals are properly taken care of, there is a reduction in risks to food security. If the Government gives animal welfare the priority it deserves, then this will serve as a cushion against the looming food shortage.
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