Open Letter Urges Ministry to Address Critical Issues of Environment, Health, Gender Equality, and Economic Resilience
An open letter, endorsed by SAMAYU and a coalition of 17 organisations, urges the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying to address critical concerns in the animal agriculture sector.
These issues span environmental and public health, gender equality, economic resilience, transparent supply chains and conflicts, all intricately tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 sustainable development agenda.
Prompted by the G20 Summit, the letter criticises the summit's neglect of these vital challenges, emphasising the role of sustainable practices in economic and environmental stability. It also highlights the need for reform in Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to finance sustainable agriculture and livestock projects.
The omission of these concerns contradicts key SDGs, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Despite this, the declaration's call to action underscores the urgency of addressing the multifaceted challenges in the animal agriculture industry.
The open letter presents a comprehensive set of recommendations for each issue, emphasising the need for policies promoting sustainable farming practices, gender equality, economic stability, supply chain transparency, and the protection of agricultural workers.
The organisations behind this passionate letter believe these recommendations will create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient agricultural landscape, benefiting individuals and the planet's overall health."