Most infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. In this paper, we explore the role of animal farming and meat consumption in the emergence and amplification of infectious diseases. First, we discuss how meat production increases epidemic risks, either directly through increased contact with wild and farmed animals or indirectly through its impact on the environment (e.g., biodiversity loss, water use, climate change). Traditional food systems such as bushmeat and backyard farming increase the risks of disease transmission from wild animals, while intensive farming amplifies the impact of the disease due to the high density, genetic proximity, increased immunodeficiency, and live transport of farmed animals. Second, we describe the various direct and indirect costs of animal-based infectious diseases, and in particular, how these diseases can negatively impact the economy and the environment. Last, we discuss policies to reduce the social costs of infectious diseases. While existing regulatory frameworks such as the "One Health" approach focus on increasing farms' biosecurity and emergency preparedness, we emphasize the need to better align stakeholders' incentives and to reduce meat consumption. We discuss in particular the implementation of a "zoonotic" Pigouvian tax, and innovations such as insect-based food or cultured meat.
Most infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. In this paper, we explore the role of animal farming and meat consumption in the emergence and amplification of infectious diseases. First, we discuss how meat production increases epidemic risks, either directly through increased contact with wild and farmed animals or indirectly through its impact on the environment (e.g., biodiversity loss, water use, climate change). Traditional food systems such as bushmeat and backyard farming increase the risks of disease transmission from wild animals, while intensive farming amplifies the impact of the disease due to the high density, genetic proximity, increased immunodeficiency, and live transport of farmed animals. Second, we describe the various direct and indirect costs of animal-based infectious diseases, and in particular, how these diseases can negatively impact the economy and the environment. Last, we discuss policies to reduce the social costs of infectious diseases. While existing regulatory frameworks such as the "One Health" approach focus on increasing farms' biosecurity and emergency preparedness, we emphasize the need to better align stakeholders' incentives and to reduce meat consumption. We discuss in particular the implementation of a "zoonotic" Pigouvian tax, and innovations such as insect-based food or cultured meat.
Auteur(s)
Romain Espinosa1
, Damian Tago2
, Nicolas Treich3
1
CREM -
Centre de recherche en économie et management
( 894 )
- 7 place Hoche, BP 86514
35065 RENNES CEDEX
- France
Université de Caen Normandie ( 7127 )
;
Normandie Université ( 455934 )
;
Université de Rennes ( 105160 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR6211 ( 441569 )
2
Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
( 1042918 )
- Thaïlande
3
TSE-R -
Toulouse School of Economics
( 1002422 )
- Manufacture de Tabacs, 21 allées de Brienne 31000 Toulouse
- France
Université Toulouse Capitole ( 81148 )
;
Université de Toulouse ( 443875 )
;
École des hautes études en sciences sociales ( 99539 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR5314 ( 441569 )
;
Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement UMR1415 ( 577435 )
Public visé
Scientifique
Volume
76
Numéro
4
Page/Identifiant
1019-1044
Langue du document
Anglais
Vulgarisation
Non
Comité de lecture
Oui
Audience
Internationale
Nom de la revue
Environmental and Resource Economics
(ISSN : 0924-6460, ISSN électronique : 1573-1502)
Publié par Springer
Revue non référencée dans Sherpa-Romeo
Date de publication
2020-08
Domaine(s)
Sciences de l'Homme et Société/Economies et finances
Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]/Alimentation et Nutrition