In the world of livestock production, disease outbreaks are no longer isolated events with local consequences. Today, their impact reverberates across international markets, with the global feed trade often caught in the crossfire. The recent resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) in Asia and Europe, the persistent threat of avian influenza in the U.S., and the looming specter of foot-and-mouth disease all underscore one critical truth: animal health and feed trade are inextricably linked.
When a major livestock disease strikes, national borders tighten. Governments react swiftly, imposing export bans on live animals and animal products, and — critically — on feed ingredients derived from these sources. Meat-and-bone meal, blood meal, and even certain processed plant proteins have often been restricted due to fears of disease transmission, real or perceived. As a result, key protein sources are suddenly removed from global trade flows, disrupting feed formulation and pricing models in regions that depend on imports.
