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
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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
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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%,
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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