Review of the Food-borne Zoonoses Research ... - ARCHIVE: Defra

stakeholders on economics, social science and behaviour change, with respect to
disease management, may be included by such a process.
2. Defra’s aim and strategic priorities
At the time of this review Defra's overarching aim was sustainable development, which is
defined as ‘development which enables all people throughout the world to satisfy their
basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of
future generations.‘
Under this overarching aim, five strategic priorities were identified, including:
1. Climate change and energy: Making a full contribution, domestically and
internationally, to addressing the long-term threats presented by climate change and
unsustainable energy use, and to ensure adequate mitigation of the consequences
which are already unavoidable.
2. Sustainable consumption and production: Breaking the link between economic growth
and environmental degradation and resource use through promoting and enabling
more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
3. Protecting the countryside and natural resource protection: Creating a robust policy
framework and evidence base in order to promote the sustainable use and
enhancement of the country's natural heritage and ecosystems.
4. Sustainable rural communities: Encouraging sustainable regeneration in
disadvantaged rural areas, promoting social inclusion and reducing deprivation.
Ensuring higher quality, more accessible public services to rural communities.
5. Sustainable farming and food, including animal health and welfare: Helping to create
a sustainable food and farming supply chain serving the market and the environment;
putting in place systems to reduce risks of animal diseases, and being ready to
control them when they occur.
In addition to this, Defra has an ongoing responsibility for emergency preparedness,
including planning for emergencies in animal and plant diseases, flooding, food supply,
water supply and dealing with the consequences of a chemical, biological, radiological or
nuclear incident.
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