For poor people in the developing world, there is a direct link between their livestock and their livelihood. Unfortunately, access to affordable and genuine animal health medicines has been limited for more than 30 years. In isolated areas, poor livestock keepers have limited access to vaccines and medicines because they are often expensive and difficult to administer.

At the same time, by giving these livestock keepers access to the vaccinations and training to dispense them, we can create sustainable animal health systems. Through these systems, rural communities will be able to identify and diagnose disease outbreaks, access vaccines and administer treatments. Sustainable health systems – which include educated and equipped farmers at the local level – will improve the overall health and economic viability of these communities for years to come.

• For poor people in the developing world, there is a direct link between their livestock and their livelihood.
• Nearly 700 million people earning less than USD$1 a day depend on livestock for food, trade and investment.