Animal Welfare and Livestock Supply Chain Sustainability Under the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Overview

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) around the end of December 2019, has caused a worldwide public health emergency and a socioeconomic crisis during 2020. The lockdown imposed to cope with the health issues caused by the outbreak of the disease has dramatically challenged and negatively affected all the economic sectors of the modern global economy. Specifically, the livestock sector and its related industries are among the most impacted sectors. This is mainly ascribed to the limitations of animal movement and the decrease of production inputs' availability. Other factors negatively affecting the sustainability of the livestock sector have been the shortage of workers due to the lockdown/curfew, the strong decrease in the purchasing power of the consumer, and the intensification of health care tasks. Such an impact is not only highly relevant because of their economic consequences, but also because of the effects of the lockdown and sanitary rules on animal care and welfare. The current review aims to offer: (a) a comprehensive overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the welfare of farm animals and on the performance of livestock farming systems, on food chain sustainability, and finally, on the global economy and food security; and (b) a prospective outline of alleviation actions.

One welfare impacts of COVID-19 – A summary of key highlights within the one welfare framework

“…The reduction on processing capacity affected transport, with some animals/hauliers travelling longer distances to plants in operation, live animals kept living for longer periods with an impact on stocking densities and space on farm, leading, for example, to increased heat production and associated reduced environmental factors as well as the need for on farm culling of animals ( Parry, 2020 ; Marchant-Forde Jeremy and Boyle Laura, 2020 ; Vidaurreta et al, 2020 ). Some reported farmers using abortion as a population control measure or inhumane culling methods that would impact animal welfare, such as ventilation shut down ( Hashem et al, 2020 ). Increased workloads at operational plants with reduced staffing had also an impact on workers wellbeing, likely increasing their risk of injury, and the consequent potential impact on the welfare of live animals handled and stunned ( Marchant-Forde Jeremy and Boyle Laura, 2020 ).…”

“…Because of this, pandemic control measures requiring the closure of non-essential shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities have been enforced. This, in addition to farmers and food chain workers becoming sick or quarantined had a direct impact on the food chain, production systems and trade ( Hashem et al, 2020 ; Obayelu et al, 2020 ). Global guidance was developed focusing on impact mitigation to meet the immediate food needs of vulnerable populations, whilst aiming to support global food trade, domestic supply chains and supporting farming communities, among others ( Aday and Aday, 2020 ; Nakat and Bou-Mitri, 2021 ).…”

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A syndemic perspective

“…The sustainability of animal production is also affected by a shortage of workers due to the lockdown/curfew and the strong decrease in the purchasing power of the consumer. The result of the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions, namely, lockdown, restrictions to movement of people and goods and physical distancing, among others, may result in economic collapse, increased unemployment, poverty deterioration and widespread famines, as food security becomes a global concern [ [86] , [87] , [88] , [89] , [90] , [91] , [92] , [93] , [94] , [95] , [96] , [97] , [98] , [99] ].…”

Potential impacts of COVID-19 on reproductive health: Scientific findings and social dimension

“…Within only 3 months of its appearance, on 11/03/2020, the rapid spread of the virus led the WHO to announce a public health emergency and classify the situation as a global pandemic. The sudden emergence of COVID-19 disease has drastically changed economic activities and social relations globally ( Hashem et al, 2020 ). These changes in activities are due in part to the local and global restrictions on movement imposed by various authorities and the rising fear of contagion ( Ibarra et al, 2020 ).…”