{"id":8437,"date":"2017-09-13T17:30:06","date_gmt":"2017-09-13T15:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carnisostenibili.cvdemo.online\/en\/?p=8437"},"modified":"2017-09-19T18:15:36","modified_gmt":"2017-09-19T16:15:36","slug":"livestock-people-are-exposed-to-incorrect-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carnisostenibili.it\/en\/livestock-people-are-exposed-to-incorrect-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Livestock, “people are exposed to incorrect information”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Humans face mounting challenges<\/strong> when it comes to finding ways to sustainably feed<\/strong> an exploding population<\/strong>. As populations become wealthier and more urbanized, the demand for<\/strong> animal products<\/strong> continues to climb. Although supply chain efficiencies improve, livestock are considered a resource drain<\/strong>, requiring a large amount of feed, which could also be used by humans, to produce a relatively small amount of meat<\/strong>. A new study<\/a> in Global Food Security<\/strong> found that livestock<\/strong> place less burden on the human food supply than previously reported. Even stronger, certain production systems contribute directly to global food security<\/strong> because they produce more highly valuable nutrients<\/strong> for humans, such as proteins, than they consume.<\/p>\n

“As a Livestock Policy Officer<\/strong> working for the Food and Agriculture Organization<\/strong> (FAO<\/strong>) of the United Nations, I have been asked many times by the press to report on the negative environmental impacts of livestock,” explained lead investigator Anne Mottet<\/strong>, PhD<\/strong>. “Doing so, I came to realize that people are continually exposed to incorrect information<\/strong> that is repeated without being challenged, in particular about livestock feed<\/strong>. There is currently no official and complete international database on what livestock eat. This study contributes to filling this gap and to provide peer-reviewed evidence<\/strong> to better inform policy makers and the public.”<\/p>\n

While there have been vast improvements<\/strong> in food systems, people still go hungry. In 2015 alone, approximately 800 million people around the world were undernourished. Animal food<\/strong> sources make a vital contribution to global nutrition<\/strong> and are an excellent source of macro- and micronutrients. Meat<\/strong> makes up 18% of global calories<\/strong> and 25% of global protein consumption<\/strong> and provides essential micro-nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. Livestock<\/strong> use large areas of pastures where nothing else could be produced<\/strong>. Animals also add to agricultural production through manure production and drought power. Further, tending livestock provides a secure source of income<\/strong> for people in many in rural areas.<\/p>\n

Despite these benefits<\/strong>, raising livestock is often pointed to as an inefficient system because animals consume food<\/strong> that could potentially be eaten by people. Some previous studies, often cited, put the consumption of grain needed to raise 1 kg of beef between 6 kg and 20 kg. Contrary to these high estimates, the current investigation found that an average of only 3 kg of cereals are needed to produce 1 kg of meat<\/strong>. It also shows important differences between production systems and species.<\/p>\n

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For example, because they rely on grazing and forages, cattle need only 0.6 kg of protein from human food to produce 1 kg of protein in milk and meat<\/strong>, which is of higher nutritional quality. In addition, this study determined that 86% of livestock feed<\/strong>, which includes residues and by-products, is not suitable for human consumption<\/strong>. If not consumed by livestock, the study points out, these “leftovers” could quickly become an environmental burden <\/strong>as the human population grows and consumes more and more processed food. Researchers also analyzed land use<\/strong> and herd management<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“The media often reports how consumers’ choices can contribute to sustainable development<\/strong>, like through a vegetarian diet; however, erroneous information<\/strong> is provided regarding livestock feed requirements,” noted Dr. Mottet<\/strong>. “We hear statements, for example, that to produce 1 kg of beef, we need large amounts of cereals. While we need to ensure that our diets are sustainable from a health and environmental point of view, the public and decision makers need accurate information to guide their choices<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Livestock production<\/strong> is growing fast because demand for animal products is rising<\/strong>, particularly in developing countries<\/strong>. FAO estimates that we need 70% more animal products by 2050 to feed the world<\/strong>. Therefore, the area of land needed to raise animals will also increase if feed conversion ratios<\/strong> (FCR) are not further improved. Steps have already been taken through feed formulation<\/strong>, genetic selection<\/strong>, and better veterinary services<\/strong> to improve FCRs over the last 30 years, but continued progress is needed to make the system more sustainable<\/strong>. In addition, it is essential to improve the recycling of food wastes<\/strong> and by-products into livestock feed as well as to increase feed crops yields.<\/p>\n

“Animal production<\/strong>, in its many forms, plays an integral role in the food system, making use of marginal lands, turning co-products into edible goods<\/strong>, contributing to crop productivity and turning edible crops into highly nutritious, protein-rich food. Quantifying the land and biomass resources engaged in livestock production and the food output<\/strong> they generate, but also improving our modelling capacity<\/strong> by including trends in consumer preferences, shifts in animal species, climate change impacts<\/strong>, and industrial processes to improve the human edibility of certain feed materials is arguably basic information needed as part of further research<\/strong> into the challenge of sustainably feeding 9.6 billion people<\/strong> by 2050<\/strong>,” concluded Dr. Mottet.<\/p>\n

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Source:\u00a0Elsevier.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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