Presented by: Alice Willett, UK Presented to: FAO; 18 October 2016, Rome, Italy Animal Health and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Network

Content Healthy animals have lower GHG emissions intensity How can livestock support sustainable agriculture to achieve food security? Global Research Alliance Livestock Research Group Animal Health Network Research Examples Summary Animal Health and GHG Emissions Intensity Network

Animal Health & GHG – What is the issue?

Otte et al. (2013 ) Animal Health & GHG – What is the issue? $1.4 tn Value of global livestock sector $ 1.3 bn Employs 1.3 billion people Food 17% calories 26% protein

On average, 20% production losses due to animal diseases ↑ mortality ↓ fertility ↓ productivity (disease & parasite) = ↑ emissions intensity (individual & herd level) Improve animal health Increase productivity Feed/forage balancing, digestibility, and efficiency Reduce the proportion of animals held for reproduction compared to production Reduced average age at first reproduction and slaughter What can be done?

Feed/forage balancing, digestibility, and efficiency Improved animal health Reduce the proportion of animals held for reproduction compared to production Reduced average age at first reproduction and slaughter Gerber et al. (2013 ) Tackling climate change

Global Research Alliance Launched December member countries from all regions of the world GRA

Livestock Research Group Focused on reducing the emissions intensity of livestock production systems and increasing the quantity of carbon stored in soils supporting those systems. Increase agriculture production with lower emissions: Feeding the world within the carrying capacity of earth Improve global cooperation in research & technology: Accelerate/strengthen knowledge and technology development that would not happen without the Alliance Work with farmers and partners to provide knowledge: Develop relevant mitigation options and strengthen productivity and resilience of food systems

LRG Animal Health Selection & Genomics Manure Management Grassland Feed & Nutrition Rumen Microbial

Animal Health & GHG Emissions Intensity Network Share information on current and planned research and funding activities Maintain and enhance capacity in this field of research Encourage and facilitate a joined-up approach Establish common agreement on priority issues and explore funding opportunities Pursue synergies with stakeholders and other relevant initiatives Network Objectives

Animal Health & GHG Emissions Intensity Network UK secretariat 114 members 30 countries Output so far: 3 Network workshops 1 Regional meeting Joint meeting with MACSUR Joint meeting with LRG Networks Networking Project work Progress AHN Donors Farmer organisations Pharmaceutical industry Regional bodies Researchers Data providers

Relevant research projects 12

Modelling the Impact of Controlling Endemic Cattle Diseases and Conditions on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (Defra project AC0120) Lifecycle analysis of endemic diseases on GHG emissions intensity Modelling the impact and cost-effectiveness of controlling endemic cattle diseases and conditions on GHG emissions Interdisciplinary research project £168,000 UK Government investment providing evidence in a novel area of interest Feeds in to UK contribution to Alliance activity Selection & Selection &Characterisation of MMs Selection & Selection &Characterisation of MMs LCAanalysisLCAanalysis DiseasePrevalence & impact & impactDiseasePrevalence MACC design MACC design&construction &construction Stage 1: Disease review and development of MMs Stage 2: LCA analysisStage 3: Economic analysis & reporting Economic Economicanalysis of supply response Economic Economicanalysis of supply response

Modelling the Impact of Controlling Endemic Cattle Diseases and Conditions on Greenhouse Gas Emissions ‘Proof of concept’ that interventions intended at improving cattle health can be modelled to quantify GHG abatement in terms of scale and cost-effectiveness. A large number of treatments are cost-effective for farmers and lead to efficiency gains. Efficiency gains are likely to release land from livestock production. Savings identified in the UK work are applicable globally. Key findings

Developing a method for quantifying the mitigation potential and CE of trypanosomosis treatment Combined approach of mapping the benefits of disease interventions and an LCA on GHG emissions from livestock. There are significant increases in production and emissions across all the systems when tryps is removed. Production increases by more than emissions so EI decreases.

Effect of removing tryps on emissions intensity (EI) There are significant increases in production and emissions across all the systems when tryps is removed. Production increases by more than emissions so EI decreases The biggest decrease in EI is in the high yielding dairy systems There appears to be a link between improving productivity and decreasing EI. The main drivers of the reduction in EI are: Increased milk yield reduces the GHG per kg of milk secreted by the cow. Increased fertility rate means a greater % of the cows are lactating

Long term vision for the Network A multi-national community that engages all GRA countries and world regions Port of call for information/input to relevant international activities Facilitated exchange between animal health, GHG and social research communities Funded research programmes on animal health & GHG emissions intensity 17

Summary ? Sustainability & food security $1.4 tn Value of global livestock sector $ 1.3 bn Employs 1.3 billion people Food 17% calories 26% protein

Summary Links between productivity & GHG emission reduction Raise the profile of GRA & AHN Strategic vision for AHN Important role to play in bringing stakeholders together

Any questions?