Economic impact of AMR in food-producing animals
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a severe threat to food-producing animals, food security, and the global economy, as highlighted in a recent report by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
The report, based on data from 204 countries, warns that without further action to combat AMR, annual livestock production losses from drug-resistant bacteria could result in food shortages affecting 746 million people and lead to a cumulative global GDP loss of $575 billion by 2050. Cattle and poultry production would be hit hardest, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Under a more severe scenario, the study predicts that AMR could endanger the food supply of over 2 billion people and cause a global GDP loss of $953 billion. Furthermore, by 2050, the potential spread of resistant diseases from food-producing animals to humans could lead to cumulative GDP losses ranging from $1.1 trillion to $5.2 trillion, due to the resulting impact on human productivity.
