Pulpit

Animal ag vital to global food system

ThePulpit

Pablo Gregorini

ANIMAL foods can form part of a healthy, sustainable and ethical lifestyle, despite increasing claims to the contrary.

What’s more, there is evidence that livestock farming is integral to the overall agricultural system, contributing to biodiversity and improved plant food production while creating food security and a path out of poverty for some.

However, many in the urban West deem animal foods universally unhealthy, unsustainable and unethical, ignoring the complexity of the food system.

Whether any food production system is harmful or benign is extremely nuanced and depends on differing geographical and cultural factors.

But mainstream – and mostly Western – narratives seem to want to simplify the global reality.

Animal foods offer a wide spectrum of nutrients that are needed for cell tissue development, function, health and survival.

However, various public health institutions worldwide are now advocating moderate to heavy restriction of red meat, processed meats and saturated fats, despite the scientific debate not being settled.

The evidence has been challenged by various scientists, both for red meat and saturated fat, the latter of which is not exclusive to animal foods.

High red meat consumption in the West is associated with several forms of chronic disease, but these associations remain weak in other cultures or when red meat is part of a wholesome diet.

That is because meat is often consumed as fast food and where high-meat consumers also tend to have less healthy diets and lifestyles in general.

In a Canadian study, eating more meat was only associated with higher cancer rates for people eating the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables.

Adopting a plant-based diet requires careful planning and supplements or adequately fortified foods, which can be difficult to achieve for many people.

This is particularly true in locations where such foods are inaccessible or unaffordable, or when allergies create other dietary restrictions that exclude plant staples like grains, peas or nuts.

In terms of environmental impacts, some agricultural methods are detrimental – potentially leading to intensive cropping for feed, overgrazing, deforestation and water pollution – but the damaging effects of food production are not only found in animal agriculture.

Well-managed livestock farming can contribute to ecosystem management and health while delivering high-quality foods by using resources that otherwise cannot be used in food production.

About a quarter of the global agricultural surface is unsuitable for cropping, so shifting away from animal agriculture could compromise the world’s nutrient supply and lead to a sharp increase in other methaneproducing animals that are less efficient at converting feed.

High-productivity lands already under crop production also have relatively low levels of biodiversity, whereas properly managed livestock can help maintain greater biodiversity by grazing unploughed, less productive areas while being economically more efficient.

Integrating livestock and crop farming where possible could also benefit plant food production through enhanced nutrient recycling, while minimising fertilisers and pesticides.

As far as animal welfare is concerned, livestock farming can be valued as a symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, to the benefit of both.

But this only works when animal welfare standards are in place and livestock receive a dignified life.

However, it is true that animal welfare standards can be low in some operations and this must be addressed. In some, though, they are excellent and these practices should be encouraged and rewarded.

Animal agriculture can also play an important role in culture, societal wellbeing, food security and the provision of livelihoods.

Arguments for the decimation or even abolishment of livestock and the large-scale rewilding of marginal lands could only find root in a post-industrial Western context.

Its proponents neglect all services that livestock provide worldwide and their role in social sustainability.

Food policy needs more community-derived insights and wisdom from people who are practically invested in health care, agriculture, landscape management and food security.

It is certainly fair to address the practices in animal production that give rise to concern because of a net negative impact on humans, animals and the environment.

However, when done well and in alignment with local ecosystems and social contexts, animal husbandry should be part of the solution to improve public health and environmental resilience.

Many in the urban West deem animal foods universally unhealthy, unsustainable and unethical, ignoring the complexity of the food system.

BALANCE: Lincoln University professor Pablo Gregorini says despite all the negative media coverage agriculture has received in recent years, livestock farming plays a key role in ensuring people have access to animal-based nutrition.

Who am I?

Pablo Gregorini is professor of livestock production at Lincoln University.

Your View

Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519

AGRICULTURE IS OUR CULTURE

It’s the Pulse of the nation