Healthy animals are at the heart of sustainable livestock farming, aquaculture, and the result of responsible care of horses and companion animals, with additional benefits for people and the planet, according to a new report by CIEL.

“Investing in Animal Health” supports the research, development, and adoption of innovative solutions to pressure points, all of which present opportunities to enhance the health, welfare and quality of life of our animals.

The report states that innovative technologies complement a One Health approach to challenges, such as achieving net zero and promise a good return on investment.

Overviews in the report for livestock, aquaculture, equine and companion animals, identify cross cutting issues including food security, regulation, climate change and antimicrobial resistance.

The UK is a world leader in animal health, with substantial research capabilities and a thriving economic ecosystem within each sector, highlighting opportunities for the creation of new products and services to tackle grand challenges.

Figures in the report detail the UK animal health market, including therapeutics and diagnostics, was valued at £1.2 billion in 2020 and is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% by 2028.

Dr Grace O’Gorman, head of innovation and animal health specialist at CIEL explains: “Animal health innovations bring impact through improving the resilience of our farmed livestock and the wellbeing of companion animals.

“Grand challenges such as climate change, food security and endemic disease require the adoption of these technologies, and investments made in UK capability will be critical for success in achieving this.

“The UK presents myriad opportunities for continued investment and to share excellence in this area internationally,” she says.

Dr Mark Young, innovation specialist at CIEL adds, “CIEL is ideally placed to connect these strengths and capitalise on and progress opportunities globally.

“Collaboration is key where monitoring and benchmarking can significantly contribute to the step change required to drive innovation and investment in animal health across all sectors in the UK and beyond,” he says.

The report ‘Investing in Animal Health’ can be downloaded from: https://cielivestock.co.uk/expertise/investing-animal-health/