Tehran – Iran’s livestock industry has advanced to levels surpassing many international benchmarks, according to the head of the Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO).

 

Addressing a national training program on biosecurity and livestock waste management in Tehran last week, Alireza Rafieipour underscored the role of veterinary services in protecting public health and national security.

 

He referred to the global “One Health” framework, which views human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental protection as interconnected responsibilities.

 

“In this perspective, there is no separation between the duties of the Ministry of Health, the Veterinary Organization, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Organization. All are united in safeguarding the health of our planet,” he said.

Highlighting Iran’s growing technological capacity, Rafieipour noted that in many cases domestic livestock farms are ahead of their international peers.

 

“Compared with a farm in France, several of our production units demonstrate far higher standards of hygiene and management,” he said.

 

He outlined Iran’s comprehensive guidelines for livestock waste management, covering solid and liquid manure, bedding residues, and carcass disposal, as well as advanced treatment methods such as composting, anaerobic digestion, drying, and incineration. These measures, he explained, aim to reduce water and soil contamination, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the spread of zoonotic diseases.

 

Rafieipour also stressed the importance of full compliance with biosecurity principles at every stage of production. “Sustainable, high-quality, and cost-effective production can only be achieved when farmers strictly observe health protocols and protect both their financial and environmental capital,” he added.