International Meat Secretariat
Transcrição
International Meat Secretariat
International Meat Secretariat www.meat-ims.org 1 Newsletter 544 1 September 15, 2014 www.meat-ims.org 1 547 1 31 October 014 CONTENTS Who’s Behind the Anti-Meat Front? l l OECD-FAO Report Foresees Strong Growth In Meat Demand In Emerging Markets Who’s Behind the Anti-Meat Front? René Laporte, French agronomist and economist responds to the antimeat front. In 2014 he contributed to a book on this subject, La viande voit rouge (Meat Sees Red) co-authored with Pascal Mainsant and published by Fayard (2012). In his first opinion column (published in IMS Newsletter No 541) he explored the question “should we stop eating meat?” This second column describes the intellectual movements and organizations involved in the “antimeat” front. Who is raising this issue and who is part of the ‘‘anti-meat front’’? I.M.S. 5 rue Lespagnol 75020 Paris FRANCE Tel: 33 (0)1 44 93 60 20 Fax: 33 (0)1 44 93 60 01 Editor: Hsin Huang © I.M.S. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of I.M.S. www.meat-ims.org The anti-meat front is not formally constituted in a unified, structured group, a new global and international NGO bearing the anti-meat message. Today only PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) could claim that role in the world. Rather we are dealing with a galaxy of ‘‘animalitarian’’ and environmental causes, made up of a myriad of associations of various perspectives, each putting forward its views and arguments to challenge the production and human consumption of meat. Their activists meet at major national and international events like the 2009 Copenhagen Summit on climate change to capture the attention of the media with their demands by forming collectives and alliances. Their manifesto stated at that time: ‘‘We wanted this united action. We have brought together personalities from various horizons to demand as one the recognition of the impact of meat on the environment, human malnutrition and animal suffering.’’ Under the name of ‘‘anti-meat front’’ we find animal protectors and defenders, vegetarians and vegans and, a new element, champions of new technologies of information and communication (NTIC). We will take stock of the main messages these movements convey and describe their involvement in campaigns against meat based on the thinking of anti-speciesist philosophers and sociologists theorizing «carnism”. Animal protectors and defenders Within this antimeat front, the most legitimate forces concerned about domestic animals in our societies are the animal protection associations. Ssince the nineteenth century they have been organized for a very specific purpose — to defend and protect animals against acts of abuse or cruelty perpetrated by man. In 1821 the SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - was founded in England. A few years later, it became the ‘‘Royal Society’’ (RSPCA) when it was recognized by the young Queen Victoria in 1840. In France, the SPA – Société Protectrice des Animaux - was born in 1845. These groups report the mistreatment of animals and ensure that those engaged in acts of cruelty to animals are punished. In the second half of the twentieth century, animal protection associations multiplied and expanded their scope of action. Today they focus on domestic animals’ conditions, their welfare in modern intensive production and demand that animals are well treated. The debate on animals’ living conditions in intensive livestock production was launched in 1964 with the publication of the book Animal Machine by British vegetarian activist Ruth Harrison. This book has aroused passions in the UK and was behind the Brambell Report that defined the five freedoms that man must provide to farmed animals to ensure their welfare. But more recently, trying to outdo each other almost competitively, some associations have adopted more radical positions to prohibit certain practices in raising, transporting and slaughtering animals. You can see their activists in the front lines of anti-meat protests, lying in coffins so as to evoke the image of domestic animals’ carcasses. Among the animal welfare movements, those in the forefront today are defending animal ‘‘rights’’, animal ‘‘liberation’’ and go so far as to organize attacks against breeding centres , slaughterhouses or laboratories working with animals. Today, talk about animal welfare is a mixture of science, ethics, economics, politics, activism and anthropocentrism. It is no longer just a scientific concept — animal-welfare has become a collective social construct. Vegetarians and vegans Vegetarians and vegans join this anti-meat front because they find allies to promote their choice not to eat meat in the first case and in the second, any animal products at all. These are the ‘‘ethical’’ vegetarians who choose not to eat meat because it would be immoral for them to kill animals for food. These ethical vegetarians are very militant and want to impose their choice not to eat meat on all of humanity, thus showing their intolerance in demanding that animal farming be prohibited or abolished! These vegetarian and vegan activists distance themselves from the teaching of Pythagoras, the famous philosopher-mathematician, who was certainly vegetarian but preached tolerance. To this moral choice vegetarians add all the arguments about the condition of farm animals, health, world hunger, and the impact of animal-raising and meat production on the environment. Vegetarian associations can rely on celebrities who beyond their personal beliefs as vegetarians are representative standard bearers for creating public opinion and attracting the media and cameras. In the recent past, Paul McCartney accompanied Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), to the European Parliament requesting the establishment of a meat-free day. Campaigns 2 www.meat-ims.org for vegetarianism by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals regularly feature stars such as Pamela Anderson and Zara Whites in very flattering poses. Vegetarian and vegan associations say they are not demanding the abolition or prohibition of meat, but that they want to support and encourage people who are involved in vegetarianism. The reality is quite different because in applying the techniques of revolutionary movements they are encouraging or supporting behind the scenes organizations that advocate an end to animal production and eating meat. Animal protection associations become vegetarian activists and, vice versa, vegetarians espouse animal welfare demands, but ultimately they all convey an anti-meat discourse. And to try to sink the boat of meat altogether, they boost their arguments with environmental issues, greenhouse gas emission production, wasting grain and water resources, world hunger and of course health issues. Champions of new digital technologies What’s behind the involvement in agribusiness of Bill Gates and his billionaire friends like Sergey Brin of Google, Peter Thiel of PayPal and Vinod Khosla of Sun Microsystems, who have been successful in new information and communication technologies (NTIC) and are today investing in innovative projects for tomorrow’s food? They promise that soon we will have clean food: meat without animals, milk without cows and eggs without chickens! And this in response to the anti-meat accusations: modern farming is too intensive, animals are killed, livestock production is destroying the planet and wasting limited resources, grains, soya, water and arable land. In addition to taking up the charges, without any debate and without distancing themselves, that are spread by anti-meat forces they argue that livestock production and agriculture are old, ineffective and unimaginative activities. They should have added unprofitable and at least they would have been right about that. They forget too quickly that agronomic research, often close to medical research, has worked hard and broken new ground on cell cultures, cloning, genome sequencing, artificial insemination and genetically modified organisms, among others. When these techniques are used by farmers they are criticized, but when they are developed by Silicon Valley start-ups, they become acceptable. To see vegetarian environmentalists double as animal defenders and support the work of Professor Post on in vitro steak does not fail to surprise while at the same time they denounce artificial food coming from the current food industry. To put it clearly, these critics are repeating the anti-meat environmentalists’ denial of progress that animal farming activities have made. However much society validates and supports the achievements of the industrial revolution begun in the 19th century and continued today by new digital technologies, society is just as critical of the agricultural revolution of the last 50 years and citizens ask what the modernization and intensification of agriculture and livestock production have accomplished. The food industry must have forgotten to explain in its information and communication to the public the benefits for consumers and citizens of progress in quantity, quality, price and regularity in meeting the food needs of affluent and less affluent people. There is an urgent need for livestock and food industry professionals to develop a message on the progress in animal production. The ‘‘anti-speciesists’’ and ‘‘carnism’’ theorists The anti-speciesism developed primarily by two philosophers, Peter Singer and Tom Regan, at the end of the last century is used by vegetarian and vegan movements to argue that people should stop eating meat. For them, there is no difference in man and animal species, so animals should be entitled to the same moral consideration. They conclude that man has no right to kill them. They fight for animal liberation and for the abolition of livestock production, referring to women’s liberation and the abolition of slavery. Having no scientific basis to justify his anti-speciesist conviction, Peter Singer takes up the principle of utility developed by Jeremy Bentham and bases his theory 3 www.meat-ims.org on animals’ will to live. But many philosophical theories pushed to the extreme can be fragile or dangerous. Peter Singer is no exception when he compares a mentally handicapped child’s preference to live with that of an animal! This concept of anti-speciesism is also used to claim rights for animals and even for establishing a specific legal framework for animals that goes as far as restricting the right to own and use domestic animals. It’s good to keep in mind that anti-speciesist philosophers remain a very small minority. Since one theory follows another, now we are supposed to be concerned about a “carnist” world. According to this theory, the world we live in is unconsciously dominated by ‘‘carnism’’, which makes man a meat eater against his own interests! Social psychologist Melanie Joy is the main proponent of this theory of ‘‘carnism’’ which she constructed from her own experience as a vegan. Without doubt her successful lectures throughout the world use manipulation techniques and even audience psychoanalysis. Do we need to recall at least one obvious point: people are neither strict carnivores nor strict vegetarians but omnivores who combine plant and animal products in their diet? Let’s continue to eat plant products and animal products. n Rene Laporte www.meat-ims.org OECD-FAO Report Foresees Strong Growth In Meat Demand In Emerging Markets Demand for agricultural commodities is expected to increase at a slower rate in the next decade but consumers in developing countries, particularly in Asia, are increasingly adopting protein-based diets according to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 20142023 (http://www.oecd.org/site/oecd-faoagriculturaloutlook/), which should provide a significant boost to the global meat and livestock industries. Consumption of meat in developed countries is already high and growth is expected to be either stagnant or falling, due to a slowing down of birth rates, an ageing population and some changes in preferences away from red meats. But the main trend in developed countries will be a continuing shift from red to white meat. Over the next decade the report projects global meat production to increase 1.6 per cent annually (a slow down from the 2.3 per cent growth rate in the past decade) to around 357 million tonnes by 2023. Of the additional 58 million tonnes or 19 per cent produced, 78 per cent will be in developing countries. This growth will require almost 160 million tonnes of additional feed, mainly coarse grains and oilseeds. Given that the FAO in another report (World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050: The 2012 Revision) has estimated that meat demand will need to reach 455 million tonnes in 2050 (or 52 per cent more than in 2013) that requires an annual growth rate of around 1.3 per cent. That target appears feasible on present trends, but pressure on resources, higher costs to achieve further productivity gains, and tighter and more extensive regulations, will lead to higher meat prices. However, with rising populations and incomes coupled with pressure on land and water resources, many developing countries, especially in Asia, do not have the capacity to meet the higher demand for animal feed (mainly corn and soya) and meat (mainly beef and sheepmeat) at competitive prices and will be increasingly reliant on imports from South and North American, Australasian and European suppliers. Key highlights Production lCurrently, pork accounts for the greatest share in total global meat production but a comparatively slower growth rate through the next decade will result in it being surpassed by poultry by 2020. Pork production is projected to increase by 17 Mt, by 2023, 15% higher compared to the base period. China continues to dominate the market and is expected to produce almost half of the additional pork. lOver the projection period poultry meat production will capture almost half of the increase in global meat production by 2023, compared to the base period. The sheep meat sector will also exhibit strong growth, recovering from slow growth during the past decade. lPoultry continues to dominate the meat sector, as reflected in production growth of 4 27% by 2023 relative to the base period. This represents almost half of additional meat produced globally by 2023. A high feed conversion ratio, short production cycle and simple production process has made poultry the low cost alternative which consumers in developing countries demand first as their income level rises. lChina remains the greatest contributor to increased meat production, with an additional 15.3 Mt, followed by the United States with 6 Mt and Brazil with 4.5 Mt. Of the major meat producers, the fastest growers are Argentina (30%), the Russian Federation (28%), Indonesia (47%) and Viet Nam (39%). lThe livestock supply response in some countries is being conditioned by environmental and food safety regulations, especially but not exclusively, in developed markets. In many areas of the developing world, a considerable productivity gap remains, with potential for meat output expansion, if higher productivity can be realised. Consumption lGlobal meat consumption per capita is expected to reach 36.3 kg in retail weight by 2023, an increase of 2.4 kg compared to the base period. Nearly three-quarters of this additional consumption will consist of poultry, followed by pig, sheep and bovine meat. Consumption growth in developed countries will be slower than that of the developing countries, but in absolute terms, at 69 kg per capita, will remain more than double that in developing countries by the end of the projection period. lDeveloping countries will account for 83% of extra meat consumed in 2023, relative to the base period, with Asian markets consuming more than half of it. In Asia, total meat consumption is expected to increase by 26%, driven by both strong income growth and a growing and increasingly urban population. lWhile meat consumption growth in India is rapid, the world’s largest vegetarian country will still consume on average less than 5 kg per capita by 2023. In Africa, and despite rapid growth through the past decade, the level of meat consumption per capita remains low, at only 34% of the global average. Population growth, however, is expected to cause a significant increase in total meat consumption, in particular poultry meat, which is expected to overtake bovine meat as the most consumed meat product. Trade l The meat trade is projected to grow slower than in the past decade and in global terms nearly 11% of overall meat output will be traded, with bovine meat having the highest trade share at nearly 16%. The most significant import demand growth originates from Asia, which represents the greatest share of additional imports for all meat types. l Developed countries are expected to account for 54% of global meat exports by 2023, down from 56% in the base period. Traditional exporting countries are expected to maintain a high share of the global trade, notably North America (31%) and South America (28%). In contrast, the European Union, while a still significant meat exporter, www.meat-ims.org will continue to weaken through the next decade, driven by the combined effect of a strong Euro and higher production costs, following the implementation of stringent animal welfare requirements, notably in the pig meat sector. Prices l FAOs Meat Price Index, a measure of global meat prices, has remained at historically high levels since 2011. It currently stands some 90% higher than ten years earlier, reflecting the impact of higher feed costs, which more than doubled over the decade. Though a rapid fall of feed costs in 2013 has set the stage for renewed profitability in the meat sector, supply growth is hampered by tighter sanitary and environmental regulations, and higher costs of energy, water and labour. l Nominal meat prices are expected to remain high throughout the outlook period. Feed costs remain above historic norms and rising costs related to other inputs such as energy, labour, water and land would also lead to higher prices. The price of bovine Per capita meat consumption in the 2023 compared with 2011-13, by region TC f f 1 2 ‘‘Figure 7.8 Per Capita meat consumed in the zorld 2023 vs. base period 2011-13’’ Source: OECD and FAO Secretariats. 5 meat in the Pacific Market, which is currently at historic record levels, will rise to around USD 4 800/t by 2016 before falling due to increased supplies. Pigmeat prices will fluctuate but reach USD 2 000/t level over the projection period, while poultry prices should attain USD 1 550/t by 2023. Sheepmeat prices, which fell sharply from high levels in 2013, should rise in line with the prices of other competing meats. But in real terms meat prices will decline somewhat by 2023. Main issues and uncertainties The ever-present risk to meat markets is the outbreak of animal diseases, which may force liquidation of existing animals and reduce consumer demand. The ability to control the spread of this disease will have ramifications for the Outlook. The on-going challenge of Avian Influenza (H7N9) is having a major impact in China, as consumers have reduced demand for poultry meat, resulting in increased demand for red meats. Similarly, the current Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) in North America will have repercussions for Pacific meat markets. In various regions, the on-going effort to eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle, pigs and sheep has had mixed success, and it continues to divide commercial markets and opportunities for the industry. African Swine Fever (ASF), which is endemic in parts of Africa and has spread at various times to other countries, could also disrupt markets in the future. The prospect of various trade agreements over the outlook period could increase meat trade substantially. In October 2013, the European Union signed a free trade agreement with Canada, which is likely to increase agricultural trade between the two and provide increased access to the pig and bovine meat sectors. The United States is currently discussing with the European Union the creation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which would reduce tariffs and trade restrictions and likely enhance trade between the two partners, especially US exports of high quality beef to the European Union. The European Union is also negotiating with countries of the Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR; Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela) and an agreement could have a substantive impact on meat trade between these regions. Environmental regulations continue to affect meat production. These imply higher costs of compliance, either by affecting the location of production, or in the form of specific requirements related to animal housing and waste disposal for example. Growing herd numbers further imply potentially higher environmental pressures. These trends have caused policy makers to draw attention to the importance of improved animal efficiency/ productivity in supplying markets. The potential for increased meat imports by China could underpin higher prices in meat markets, but whether China increases domestic meat production by growing or importing more feed grain, or imports more meat directly, there are implications for global markets. In fact, China has already imported more meat than previously expected. The Outlook includes a special section on India. In the last decade, meat production increased annually by nearly 4%, 6 www.meat-ims.org led by an 8% annual increase in poultry production. Meat production is projected to continue its fast growth at 3.1% p.a. to 2023, with poultry again dominating. Strong demand for poultry meat reflects increasing diversification of diets and growth in income, but also cultural factors, which are not favourable to bovine meat or pigmeat in diets. Increased poultry consumption is among the fastest growing source of protein for the Indian population, although the traditional vegetarian diet will likely mean that per capita meat consumption will never reach the levels of other countries. In retail weight terms, India’s per capita consumption may reach 4.3 kg/ person by 2023, which compares to a world average of 36 kg/ person and 94 kg/person in the United States. On the other hand, India’s potential to increase bovine meat exports is substantial, given the low rate of commercial slaughter relative to the size of its buffalo cattle herd. The Outlook projection indicates that bovine meat exports from India will exceed 2 Mt by 2023, making India the largest bovine meat exporter in the world. Readers may also be interested in OECD’s annual Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2014, which has recently been published (http://www.oecd. org/tad/agricultural-policies/ monitoring-and-evaluation. htm). This shows that overall support (subsidies) to producers as a share of revenue in 2013 has halved over the last quarter century since 1986 but that support allocated to specific livestock commodities remains relatively high for beef and sheep meat (and milk) but low for pigmeat and poultrymeat. Wilfrid Legg, Consultant