Nutrition and health, climate change and livelihoods under the spotlight at annual event. Delegates from across the food systems sector gathered on campus for an annual symposium on the theme of the future of livestock in global food systems.Participants heard a series of talks across three sessions, each of which was followed by facilitated audience discussion and questions. Attendees also took part in a poster session, a networking lunch, and a post-event reception.Professor Alan Duncan made opening remarks to frame the theme of the day, highlighting the impact of livestock on climate change and natural resources such as water, while at the same time providing benefits for people and livelihoods. Professor Alan Duncan welcomed delegates to the 2025 symposium. Human health The first session of the symposium, chaired by PhD student and early career researcher Deksha Kapoor, examined the role of livestock in nutrition and health, with presentations from Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems speakers. Jacqueline Tereza da Silva, PhD student, discussed meat consumption and burden of diseases in Brazil, highlighting a rise in consumption of ultra-processed meat. Professor Lindsay Jaacks spoke about the benefits and trade-offs for human health in transitioning to plant-forward diets, underscoring the importance of current diet and what, if anything, people consume instead of meat and dairy in determining relative benefits. Environmental focus This was followed by a session, chaired by PhD student Dylan Edgar, with three talks focused on the role of livestock in nature and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Professor Philip Thornton, Emeritus Fellow, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya and Honorary Professor, University of Edinburgh, described technologies that might help to alleviate rising demand for animal-source food in Africa, against a backdrop of climate change and urbanisation.Dr Alfy Gathorne-Hardy of the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems discussed meat production and biodiversity, while Dr Masoud Ghaderi-Zefreh of the Roslin Institute spoke on the use of technology and scientific understanding to improve prediction of climate change solutions based on animal breeding. Focus on farmers The final session of the day, chaired by Dr Kirsty Blair, considered the role of livestock in livelihoods and a just transition.Dr Isabelle Baltenweck of the International Livestock Research Institute spoke on the role of livestock in supporting livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the importance of livestock in supporting gender equity and inclusion. Dr Mariana Hase Ueta of Wageningen University spoke about the potential of precision fermentation, highlighting perspectives from Dutch dairy farmers. Professor Mizeck Chagunda of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health gave a presentation on how technology offers opportunities to enhance the role of livestock in supporting livelihoods, by helping farmers to plan, measure, predict and make improvements. Closing remarks Professor Lindsay Jaacks gave a closing address, highlighting the importance of context in addressing the challenges highlighted in the symposium, and the need for continued discussion and collaboration. The Symposium’s interdisciplinary dialogue concluded that whether or not animal source foods are good or bad for our health, or for biodiversity, or for livelihoods, depends on the context. This means that what matters for realising positive changes for these outcomes is contextual truths, not universal truths. We need much more co-development of our research with stakeholders, right from the start, when we decide what questions are important to ask. Professor Lindsay Jaacks Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems Images credit: Cynthia Naydani Publication date 29 Apr, 2025
