Kuala lumpur: The role of the veterinary sector is becoming increasingly critical in ensuring national food security as the world faces supply chain challenges due to geopolitical conflicts and rising food production costs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) highlighted that the conflict in West Asia and issues related to energy supply, logistics, and agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and animal feed, have led to an increase in food production costs. This has necessitated adjustments in the management of global supply chains.
"This situation indirectly encourages food-importing countries, including Malaysia, to continue to strengthen domestic production capabilities," the DVS stated in conjunction with the Veterinary Day (SHV2026) and Customer Engagement Day celebrations.
The DVS emphasized that the veterinary profession plays a strategic role in ensuring the country's food supply remains stable. This is achieved through monitoring livestock health, increasing farm productivity, controlling diseases, and implementing effective biosecurity practices.
Veterinarians' expertise in managing animal health and livestock production systems is essential for increasing the country's self-sufficiency level and reducing dependence on food imports. The DVS explained that this role includes animal disease control, zoonotic disease prevention, monitoring the safety of animal-based products, and supporting the development of a sustainable livestock industry.
Furthermore, veterinarians are instrumental in supporting the 'One Health' approach, which holistically connects animal, human, and environmental health, especially in the face of infectious disease threats that could impact public health and the economy.
The DVS mentioned that its roles align with the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (NAP 2.0), which aims to achieve specific self-sufficiency rate (SSR) targets for major commodities by 2030. These targets include 50 percent for beef or buffalo meat, 140 percent for chicken or duck meat, 123 percent for eggs, 100 percent for fresh milk, and 30 percent for goat or mutton.
In celebration of the event, five categories of the Excellent Veterinarian Awards were presented to acknowledge the contributions and excellence of veterinarians in various fields, including service, education, ruminant industry development, animal welfare, and veterinary medical students.
The event also featured knowledge-sharing sessions and professional forums in collaboration with the Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA), where industry experts discussed the strategic role of veterinarians in strengthening the country's agrofood system.
This year's celebration, themed "Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health," underscored the vital role of the veterinary profession in safeguarding the food supply chain to ensure community security and health.