The animal health foresight project

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Animal Disease Management
• Risk Analysis

Background:

• The Animal Health Foresight Project, co-sponsored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), addressed the need for alternatives to mass animal destruction.
• This initiative is part of a series of workshops by the International Working Group on Animal Disposal Alternatives (IWADA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine alternative options for effective disease control without resorting to mass animal destruction.
• To stimulate new thinking in animal health management through foresight technology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized foresight technology, including challenge questions and scenario development.
• Convened four international workshops with 43 participants from diverse sectors (industry, academia, public, government).
• Developed and analyzed eight "pictures of possible futures".

Main Results:

• Identified a need for a conceptual shift in animal health management towards a new paradigm.
• The proposed paradigm involves policy changes focusing on risk management rather than disease elimination.
• Highlighted the importance of integrating animal health and public health sectors.

Conclusions:

• A new paradigm for animal health management is essential, emphasizing risk management and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Five key principles for alternatives to mass animal destruction were identified.
• The findings advocate for a policy shift and redefined roles in animal health policy establishment.