What historical event led European nations to enhance research for livestock health?

The enhancement of research for livestock health in European nations can be traced back significantly to the occurrence of animal plagues. These devastating events, such as the outbreak of diseases that affected cattle and other livestock, highlighted the vulnerability of agricultural systems to infectious diseases. The impact of such plagues was profound, leading to substantial economic losses and food shortages, which in turn prompted governments and agricultural researchers to prioritize the study of animal health. They sought to understand the causes of these diseases, develop preventive measures, and improve overall livestock management practices. This focus on livestock health was crucial in ensuring food security and improving agricultural productivity, ultimately shaping the field of veterinary medicine and research as we know it today. The other options, while relevant in broader agricultural contexts, did not directly catalyze the initial surge in livestock health research in the same critical way that animal plagues did.