Document Type : Notes
Author
Ph.D. Candidate of Animal and Poultry Physiology, Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran
10.22059/domesticsj.2026.109603
Abstract
Wars are among the most devastating events capable of transforming the course of a nation's life, with consequences that extend far beyond battlefields and geographical boundaries. These consequences permeate every aspect of human existence, from the deepest layers of individual and family life to the most complex economic, social, scientific, and industrial structures. In addition to inflicting human suffering and causing psychological and social harm, war can undermine the economic foundations of society, disrupt production infrastructure, and seriously interrupt a country's scientific and industrial development. Under such circumstances, different industries face distinct yet interconnected challenges, depending on the nature of their activities, their degree of dependence on infrastructure, and the complexity of their supply chains. Within this context, the livestock and poultry industry occupies a distinctive position. This industry not only deals with living organisms and their continuous needs but also constitutes one of the pillars of a society's food security. Its significance extends beyond the production of meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products; it is also closely linked to employment, the livelihoods of rural and urban households, the sustainability of associated businesses, and public access to high-quality protein sources. Consequently, any widespread disruption to the activities of this industry may have implications that extend beyond the economic losses incurred by producers, also affecting food security and public health. One of the fundamental characteristics of the livestock and poultry industry is the continuity and interdependence of its components. Production on a livestock or poultry farm does not constitute an independent activity isolated from other sectors; rather, it depends on an extensive network of activities, infrastructure, and services. The supply of feed inputs, transportation, the production and distribution of veterinary drugs and vaccines, veterinary services, the provision of energy and water, slaughterhouses, meat-processing industries, dairy-processing plants, cold chains, and distribution networks all play a role in sustaining the industry's operations. Disruption to any one of these links can spread to other components and ultimately compromise the performance of the entire chain. This interdependence becomes particularly significant under wartime conditions. Infrastructure destruction, insecurity along transportation routes, trade restrictions, disruptions to imports, difficulties in the movement of goods, limited access to financial resources, and reduced market predictability can all disrupt the normal flow of production activities.
