Animal food production: The perspective of human consumption, production, trade and disease control

Publication Type

Conference Proceeding

Journal Name

Livestock Production Science

Publication Date

6-1-1999

Abstract

Urbanisation, higher income levels and population growth will change the pattern of consumption of foods of animal origin considerably. China has taken the lead and is already producing more meat than the United States. Growth of meat consumption and production will determine the world prices of feed cereals and animal foods. If China cannot meet its demand, it is likely that other countries in Asia and Africa will import less meat. This would negatively effect food security, the basis of human welfare and economic and political stability. The major increase in consumption of meat in the developing world will lead to animal production systems based on crop-livestock and/or industrialised systems. This change will probably lead to more environmental problems with decreasing soil fertility and soil and water pollution. In the developed world the pollution problems already exist in areas with intensive pig and dairy production. In the years up to 2020 human health will improve through an improved diet with more animal protein. Nevertheless in Africa still one out of three children will be undernourished. The lifestyle of many people in the developing world will also change with production system and urbanisation. Meeting the world's demands for animal foods will be made possible through free trade. Control of animal diseases is essential. The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) has classified diseases in List A and B. The occurrence of List A diseases generally stops trade, foot and mouth disease being the major one. Because major animal food exports will move from the developed world to the developing countries not many problems are expected. The developed countries frequently have the disease free status of List A although continuous surveillance is necessary to maintain this status. Regionally, especially in Africa, much could be gained by control of disease to stimulate intra African trade. However, other problems like poor infrastructure and high taxation prohibit, even more so, marketing of animals and animal foods in Africa. These problems have to be conquered first, for trade itself and for a fairer distribution of much needed animal proteins in the diets of many people.

Keywords

Consumption, Disease, Perception, Production trends, Trade

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