FAO promotes the "One Health" approach for the transformation of agrifood systems through a series of webinars

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized the Discussion: Intersectoral Approaches to One Health, the first in the series "Challenges and Opportunities of the One Health Approach, from the Agrifood System." The primary focus is to promote this integrative perspective for a systemic approach to the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment.

"One Health" is an integrated unifying approach that seeks to balance and sustainably optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, safeguarding the interrelation of activities related to sustainable agriculture, animal, plant, forest, and aquatic health, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), nutrition, and livelihoods.

In this discussion, specialists from livestock, aquaculture, agriculture, and forestry discussed the opportunities and challenges of addressing agrifood systems in a coordinated manner with a focus on sustainability, intergenerational responsibility, and the protection of natural resources and the environment.

Andrés González, Livestock Development and Animal Health Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean at FAO referred to the case of avian influenza and the work required by veterinary services, wildlife and environment, and public health, and the importance of a strong preventive risk communication strategy for the general population. "Through the 'One Health' approach, it is possible to anticipate, prevent, detect, and respond to diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans and to ensure food safety," he said.

Meanwhile, Natalia Cano Marimon, Coordinator of Health and Forest Protection Projects at FAO, stated that considering 'One Health' in the context of forest ecosystems implies recognizing that healthy forests are fundamental to human health and well-being, as they provide us with food, medicinal plants, timber products, and other vital ecosystem services, protect us from diseases, improve our mental and physical health, and are crucial in the fight against climate change.

On the other hand, Gamini Manuweera contributed to the perspective of funding in Agriculture with several examples, highlighting agrochemicals and the need for all system actors to rethink their use reduction without impacting the sustainability of food production.

In the aquaculture sector, the cross-cutting issues raised aim to balance fish consumption, overfishing, and aquaculture production with minimal environmental impacts; identify and communicate human health risks arising from contaminants that may be found in aquatic products; develop and promote production methods without antibiotics or chemicals; and find sustainable feed for aquatic animals without contributing to overfishing or affecting the food security of low-income coastal or riverside communities, commented José Aguilar-Manjarrez, Aquaculture Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean of the FAO.

Among the regional challenges, the speakers emphasized that it is crucial to support the increase in government capacities through legislation that considers funds and formal mechanisms that promote intersectoral coordination, facilitating the implementation of policies and programs that manage health risks in a holistic and interdisciplinary manner; promoting an active role and responsibility of each actor for more effective management in all sectors.