Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 4: 108 - 109. Published April 2008.
Meat in diets: impact on health, poverty and environment
Editorial Office
Biosciences Communications Unit, F.A.C.T. P.O. Box 967 Post Code 00217 Kenya
Address for correspondence regarding this article: m.mwangi@elewa.org
ABSTRACT
When the incomes of poor families rise, a sizable share of the extra income is spent on meat to supplement their normal diet of staple grains and vegetables. Between 1973 and 1996, all
developing countries combined per capita consumption of beef, mutton, goat, pork, poultry, eggs and milk rose by an average of about 50%. IFPRI estimates that by 2020, each person in the
developing world is likely to demand about 29 kg of meat and 63 kg of milk a year, an increase from 21 kg and 41 kg, respectively, as at 1993. An outstanding question is whether the world will be able to produce sufficient livestock to meet this future demand. Even if meeting the demand was possible there are concerns regarding the consequences of increased animal production on human health, the environment and the general welfare of small scale farmers.
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