What is it about?
The animal health industry plays a vital role in protecting animal welfare, ensuring food security, and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, it also has a significant environmental footprint, from greenhouse gas emissions to pharmaceutical waste. This study explores how environmental sustainability initiatives (ESIs) are being adopted in the industry, and how stakeholders, including veterinarians, farmers, pharmaceutical companies, and regulators, perceive and influence these efforts. Using the stakeholder theory as a framework, we combined a literature review with interviews involving experts from 11 countries. Our findings highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement, transparency, and education in driving sustainability. We also show how the ‘One Health’ philosophy, which recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, can guide more holistic and impactful sustainability strategies in the sector.
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Why is it important?
Animal health is closely tied to human health and environmental well-being. As domesticated animals outnumber humans globally, the environmental impacts of their healthcare are substantial. Without coordinated action, the sector risks undermining its contributions to public health and food security. Our study identifies the drivers, barriers, and performance implications of sustainability initiatives in animal health, offering a roadmap for integrating environmental goals into core business strategies. The recommendations can help reduce waste, improve supply chain transparency, and align industry practices with global sustainability targets.
Perspectives
This research allowed me to bring together my long-standing interest in sustainability with a sector that is often overlooked in environmental debates. The animal health industry has the potential to be a leader in sustainable innovation, but it faces unique challenges, from regulatory constraints to complex stakeholder networks. By grounding our findings in diverse stakeholder perspectives, I hope to encourage industry leaders to embrace a holistic approach that goes beyond compliance. Aligning animal health practices with environmental stewardship is not only possible, it is essential for safeguarding ecosystems, public health, and the industry’s long-term viability.
Dr Krish Saha
Birmingham City University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sustainable practices in the animal health industry: A stakeholder‐based view, Business Strategy and the Environment, December 2023, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/bse.3633.
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