“One Health” issues affecting small ruminant production

"One Health" issues affecting small ruminant production are important in both commercial businesses and smallholder farming communities throughout the world. Human food production from small ruminants needs to be integrated with food production from other livestock and from vegetable and cereal crops; and with the environment. This integration is important at regional, national and global levels, whereby ‘One Health’ benefits and trade-offs may be possible. Current levels of efficiency of conversion of finite environmental resources to food for human consumption by small ruminants around the world are currently woefully inadequate to meet ‘One Health’ human and environmental needs. Advances in livestock nutrition, husbandry and disease management are essential with regards to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development.