Facts not myths in animal health
Federal Association for Animal Health e. V. (BfT) sees many misunderstandings on the subject of animal health and calls for a stronger focus on facts. “Animal health, human health and an intact planet are closely intertwined.” With these words, Chairman Jörg Hannemann addressed what is important to the association in his welcome speech to the lecture event (May 16.05) in Cologne.
What is the importance and benefit of animal health to society? What does the animal health industry do and how can its benefits be communicated to society? What role do the media and journalism play in this? All these questions were an important part of the event.
dr Sabine Schüller, Managing Director of the BfT, called for fact-oriented framework conditions and an open innovation culture so that the industry can continue to contribute to the protection of the health of livestock and small animals and thus the important social benefit and the contribution to the different facets of One Health can be secured. She used examples to show that there are many misunderstandings in society, thereby emphasizing the need for better communication. Veterinary medicines are used to treat animals and keep them healthy and thus also play a decisive role in animal protection and animal welfare. In addition, animal health is an essential basis for a carefree coexistence of humans and animals and last but not least for the production of safe food.
One of the misconceptions is that livestock veterinarians would only use antibiotics. Anti-infectives, including antibiotics, now account for only one-sixth of the total veterinary drug market. More than a quarter are vaccines. According to Schüller, the control of antibiotic resistance must be a common concern of human and veterinary medicine. However, as the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also confirms, the main cause of antibiotic resistance in humans is the use of antibiotics in human medicine itself. Schüller also made it clear that veterinary medicines are not used to increase performance in intensive animal husbandry. Animal health is primarily about preventing and combating animal diseases. Antibiotic performance enhancers have been banned throughout the EU since 2006 and the use of hormones for fattening purposes has been banned since 1988.
Schüller also highlighted the many positive effects that our pets have on people living together today. Hardly anyone knows, however, that veterinary medicines are developed specifically for dogs and cats, but also beef, pork and chicken, and are tested by the authorities for quality, effectiveness and safety.
Thomas Heyer, journalist, WDR moderator and media trainer moderated the BfT event and first outlined the relationship between society and animals and how our industry is perceived by society, in order to then show starting points for how the dialogue can be more successful. A lack of knowledge or incorrect information affects how the sector is perceived. The remedy is “attitude equals knowledge”. Attitude has to do with information. And this is where Heyer sees the task of future journalism. Bad news continues to be the focus of media reporting. According to Heyer, the concept of “Constructive News” offers a possible journalistic approach. In order to give society the opportunity to form opinions, journalism must "see the world with both eyes". In this way, news routines can be questioned, blind spots avoided and new perspectives revealed. He called on the industry to take a clear position, to communicate proactively and to use media inquiries as an opportunity. The animal health industry must be in close dialogue with society and the media.
In a final round of talks, the representatives of various associations, organizations and politicians discussed openly and sometimes controversially from their respective perspectives how to convey the idea of One Health to society. The managing director of the Federal Association of Cattle and Pigs, Dr. Bianca Lind made it clear that farmers already collect a lot of health data from their animals. It is also a fact that the farmers do a lot to keep their animals healthy, so medicines are needed for sick animals. Lea Fliess, Managing Director of the Modern Agriculture Forum, made it clear that myths arise from ignorance. "There's a huge difference between what's actually happening and what people are feeling," said Dr. Gaby-Fleur Böl from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The fear of the schnitzel and what might be dangerous and poisonous in it is actually still far too widespread. Instead of enjoying food and having a high regard for food, people are more concerned about getting sick from meat. Myths about this need to be dispelled. According to Böl, it is also important in this context to raise awareness of the importance of good kitchen hygiene. Rheinhild Benning from Germanwatch called for a system change in animal husbandry and advocated stricter regulations, because only then would the necessary innovations come about.
Conclusion: There was agreement that the entire industry must provide more information and deepen the dialogue with society.
About the Federal Association for Animal Health
The Federal Association for Animal Health eV (BfT) represents the leading manufacturers of veterinary medicines (pharmaceuticals and biologicals), diagnostics and feed additives in Germany. The 23 member companies are active in the development, manufacture and marketing of these products and represent more than 95% of the German market. The BfT is a corporate member of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), the World Association of the Animal Health Industry (HealthforAnimals) and the European Association of the Animal Health Industry (AnimalhealthEurope).
