Is the next pandemic on our plate?

Published 07/05/2020

Yesterday, 6th May, we launched our detailed policy report: Is the next pandemic on our plate? In this document, we examine the relationship between factory farming and pandemics.

Factory farming is not a solution

In addition to detailing the ways in which factory farming have contributed to pandemics in the past, our report dismantles the idea that wet markets should be replaced by intensive animal farming in order to provide cheap food for the growing world population. The briefing provides evidence highlighting the urgent need to move to more humane, alternative farming systems.

“Maintaining a flawed global food system can and will lead to further pandemics,” says Peter Stevenson, our Chief Policy Advisor. “This report explores all the reasons why we need to move away from industrial livestock production to an alternative food system, one which is safe for human health, the planet and animals. The need has never been more relevant and urgent.”

Preventing future pandemics

Alongside our new report, we’re launching a petition calling on influential global institutions and governments to take immediate action to protect human health and the health of our planet by adopting a solid action plan that will replace cruel factory farming with humane, regenerative agricultural systems that reduce the risk of future pandemics.

Emma Slawinski, our Director of Campaigns and Communications, says: “Leading experts agree that intensive animal farming could trigger the next global pandemic.

“We are at a turning point in history and we need an action plan that will be adopted and implemented by global institutions and national governments; a plan that ends factory farming and revolutionises the way we farm, changes the way we eat, protects the environment, restores biodiversity and respects animals.”