Saving the livestock industry from COVID-19

“The effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic on the livestock sector are still largely unquantified and yet to be fully felt. While formal assessments have not been possible so far, current observations reveal disruptions to livestock value chains in many countries.

Restrictions on movement and the need for physical distancing to keep people safe and slow down the spread of COVID-19, along with requirements for additional personal protective equipment, are reducing the efficiency of industrial feed enterprises. In addition, movement restrictions and illness are resulting in labour shortages and reduced supply of raw materials. For example, the disruption of supply routes has delayed feed supply. In Argentina, the world’s largest soya bean meal exporter, restrictions have reduced soya bean