A recent report on the circulation of A(H1N1) subtype influenza viruses in the swine population in China with evidence...
The human food chain is continuously threatened by the increasing number of outbreaks of transboundary animal and plant pests and diseases, including aquatic and forest pests and diseases, and food safety and radiation events.
Avian influenza, Peste des petits ruminants, Fall armyworm, locust and other insect infestations, banana diseases, food-borne pathogens and mycotoxins are some examples of threats to the human food chain that may impact human health, food security, livelihoods, national economies and global markets.
Through the Food Chain Crisis Management Framework (FCC), FAO addresses the risks to the human food chain through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and institution-wide collaborative approach.
Animal vaccination training empowers women in Bangladesh
This is the first story in a series of three short stories on Women’s leading role in animal health. The story is about Helena, a 35-year-old poultry farmer who became a community vaccinator after taking the training offered by the FAO Upazila to Community (U2C) initiative.
“After the training, I have been vaccinating my own birds and birds of my neighbours and adjacent villages. Vaccination has dramatically minimized the death of birds from diseases in the area. None of my chicks have died from disease”, says Helena.
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July 2020 - September 2020
Overview
During the period July to September 2020, Food Chain Crisis (FCC) threats are expected to occur in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, where they may persist within a country, spread to neighbouring countries, remain latent, or re-emerge or amplify. The dynamics and likelihood of the occurrence of FCC threats depend on a number of risk factors or drivers. These include agro-ecological factors (intensive farming systems, deforestation, overgrazing, etc.), climate change and variability (droughts, extreme weather events, flooding, heavy rains, heat waves, the El Niño- Southern Oscillation – ENSO), changes in vegetation cover, water temperature, human behaviour (cultural practices, conflicts and civil insecurity, trade, etc.) and natural disasters.
In relation to food security, and according to the last “Crop prospects and food situation” report (July 2020), FAO estimates that globally, 44 countries (34 in Africa, 8 in Asia and 2 in the Americas) need external assistance for food. Persisting conflicts continue to be the dominant factor driving high levels of severe food insecurity. Weather shocks have also adversely affected food availability and access. FCC threats can compound food insecurity in fragile countries stricken by weather shocks and conflicts.
Main Food Chain threats
Twenty- seven plant and forest pests and diseases, locusts and animal and aquatic diseases were monitored and forecasted by FAO experts for the period July to September 2020. A total of 245 forecasts were conducted in 123 countries.
FCC article
Farmers look to FAO to help resolve the worsening pest outbreak issue
Pests are major causes of crop yield losses. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), between 20 and 40 percent of global crop yields are reduced each year due to damage caused by plant pests (insects and diseases). Continue Reading
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