Industrial farming is gaining momentum in recent years and is slowly gaining popularity in Africa as demand for cheap animal products rises. However, experts warn that this trend is driving up cases Antibiotic resistance among humans and threatening aquatic food systems critical to food security.
At the launch of the ‘Just Transition’ global campaign by World Animal Protection, experts highlighted the growing concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which includes antibiotic resistance, as a major public health threat.
To protect food systems and preserve public health, Sally Kahiu, External Affairs Lead at World Animal Protection called for a transition away from industrial farming.
“Antibiotic abuse is one of the most pressing animal welfare issues that stand out, about 75 per cent of antibiotics that are used in the world are used on animals. In factory farms animals are kept in extremely confined spaces, subjected to painful mutilations, and exposed to both physical and mental stress. These conditions weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness.” She explained.
“To prevent the spread of disease, many farmers start administering antibiotics routinely—even when the animals aren’t sick. This overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance. As a result, resistant bacteria can be transferred from animals to humans, leading to infections that become difficult or even impossible to treat over time, including common ailments like colds.”
According to the world health organization (WHO), AMR is a major public health concern. Globally, AMR accounts for more than 1.27 million deaths annually, and experts fear that figure could rise, especially in Africa, where surveillance systems are weak and veterinary regulation underdeveloped.
Ms. Kahiu called for transition to agroecology as a solution to the rising cases of AMR, since by practicing this holistic and sustainable approach to farming that integrates ecological principles into agricultural systems, small scale farmers are bound to preserve the environment and reduce dependence on antibiotics thus foster healthier farm ecosystems.
She emphasized that agro-ecological principles emphasize biodiversity, co-creation and sharing of knowledge thus enhancing productivity for both plants and animals. “There’s no way we can achieve agroecology without centering smallholder farmers and having them really be the center of this knowledge,” she said.
Smallholder farmers are the backbone of the African food systems, she urged them to return to the basics of animal welfare.
“Small scale farmers should follow the five animal freedoms—a widely accepted framework for humane livestock care. These include freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort through proper shelter, and freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prioritizing prevention and appropriate treatment.”
She added that animals should be allowed to express their natural behaviors.
“If these are respected, farmers can avoid overcrowding, reduce antibiotic use, and ultimately improve the health of both their animals and the surrounding ecosystem,” she said.
Industrial farming’s negative impact is not limited to land but are now growing threat to aquatic food systems.
“The aquatic foods are very critical for food security, as we all know. I think we all live in countries where this is a reality, particularly for coastal region and low-income communities. We can see that aquatic life is very pivotal for them,”
“So when it comes to industrial farming, it is definitely encroaching on them and increasingly threatening the health and sustainability of these systems.Aquatic foods are nutrient-rich, accessible, and climate resilient. For example, seaweed farming offers a low-carbon, high-nutrition alternative. But when animal waste and fertilizers from land-based factory farms flow into rivers and oceans, they cause fish die-offs and ecosystem collapse,” she added.
Ahead of COP30, the world Animal protection is calling for a phasing out of industrial farming through the new campaign and instead transitioning to equitable, humane, and sustainable food systems. A move they termed as essential to meeting international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement, and safeguarding public health and planetary boundaries.
