Unsustainable agricultural practices can have detrimental effects on human health and pollution. Pesticide and chemical fertiliser use in farming have been linked to various health issues, including runoff of pesticides and fertilisers (nitrogen and phosphorus) into water bodies, with detrimental impacts on ecosystem and human health. High concentrations of microplastic contaminants in the soil ecosystem affect soil quality and fertility by altering its structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity. Furthermore, the quality of agricultural products and the growth and photosynthesis of plants are altered by the presence of microplastics. In addition, microplastics can adsorb and transport contaminants, such as heavy metals and other pollutants, in the soil environment. Transitioning to nature-positive agriculture, which emphasises sustainable farming methods, reduces the reliance on harmful chemicals and promotes healthier food production systems.
The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture is driven by increasingly intensive livestock systems; which are driven by the demand for ever cheaper protein and food. It is estimated that 73% of all antibiotics sold in the world are used in animals raised for food (Nature, 2024). This food systems-driven phenomenon has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a significant threat to human and animal health.
The discharge of pollutants into the environment is not only a great concern for ecosystem health, but also for human health. Such pollutants include pathogens from livestock, pesticides, nitrates in groundwater, trace metallic elements and toxic chemicals, as well as antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant genes excreted by livestock. While some of these substances are regulated at the international level, e.g. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), there continue to be gaps in terms of monitoring, policy and regulation.
