International Conference on the "Livestock Revolution"

September 7, 2006 — Thomas Parsons

In the 21st Century, demands for veterinary services will come from many sources that are tangential to the traditional directions of veterinary medicine. Over the next 45 years, world population is expected to grow faster than ever in history and will shift to an increasingly urban habitat; sixty percent will dwell in cities by 2030. Accompanying this relocation, and as consumers in developing nations acquire increased means, demand for foods of animal origin will continue to expand rapidly.

Exploring these critical issues is the focus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's 2006 Veterinary Public Health Conference November 9 & 10 in Philadelphia, PA. The immediate goal of the conference is to publicize the far reaching environmental, infectious disease, and social problems that are emerging as people in developing countries gain prosperity and an appetite for animal protein.

Dr. Henning Steinfeld from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who will speak at the conference, has termed the accompanying increase in animal production "the livestock revolution." A panel of distinguished international experts will discuss these global challenges. To our knowledge, the issues surrounding this revolution have not been addressed in previous veterinary meetings in the United States.

To learn more about the conference please visit the Veterinary Public Health Conference website.

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Thomas Parsons, School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania