The Meat Crisis: Developing More Sustainable Production and Consumption (Earthscan Food and Agriculture) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844079031 ISBN 13: 9781844079032

Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd., 2010

Synopsis

Meat and dairy production and consumption are in crisis. Globally 60 billion farm animals are used for food production every year. It is well accepted that methane emissions from cattle and other livestock are major contributors to greenhouse gas levels and to climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts a rough doubling of meat and milk consumption by 2050, with particularly rapid growth occurring in the developing economies of Asia. This could raise the number of farm animals used annually to nearer 120 billion. What will this mean for the health and wellbeing of those animals, of the people who consume ever larger quantities of animal products, and for the health of the planet itself?

This powerful and challenging book explores issues surrounding the global growth in the production and consumption of meat and dairy animals and products, including cultural and health factors, and the implications of the likely intensification of farming for both small-scale producers and for the animals. Several chapters explore the related environmental issues, from resource use of water, cereals and soya, to the impact of livestock production on global warming and issues concerning biodiversity, land use and the impacts of different farming systems on the environment. A final group of chapters addresses ethical and policy implications for the future of food and livestock production and consumption. The overall message is clearly that we must eat less meat to help secure a more sustainable and equitable world.

About this title

About the Author

John Webster is Professor Emeritus at the University of Bristol, UK. He was a founder member of the Farm Animal Welfare Council and is a former President of both the Nutrition Society and the British Society for Animal Science. Currently he is a member of the Animal Health and Welfare panel for the European Food Safety Authority. His books include Understanding the Dairy Cow, Animal Welfare: A Cool Eye towards Eden, and Animal Welfare: Limping towards Eden, plus approximately 300 scientific and technical publications.

Review

'This book contains truths too important to dismiss, too frightening to ignore.' Joanna Lumley, actress and campaigner 'Anyone who likes to eat and is concerned about the planet should read this visionary book.' Lester R. Brown, President, Earth Policy Institute and author of Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization 'This book makes both enthralling and chilling reading. When you put it down, you will be in no doubt as to why factory farming is so unsustainable, not just for the animals, but for the health and survival of both humanity and the planet.' Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive, Compassion in World Farming

'The Meat Crisis: Developing More Sustainable Production and Consumption makes a compelling case for realigning our relationship with animals and meat. The book considers this question from multiple perspectives and leaves the reader with no doubt about the need to change our connection to meat and the opportunities this offers.' -Alison Blay-Palmer, Journal of Planning Education and Research

About this edition

• Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd.
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1844079031
• ISBN 13: 9781844079032
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 305
• Editor: D'Silva Joyce, Webster John