2018-肉类地图集_有关食用性动物的事实与数字（英文版）-4mb

MEAT ATLAS Summary

Core Content

The MEAT ATLAS is a comprehensive report that explores the global implications of meat production and consumption. It highlights the environmental, social, and economic consequences of industrialized livestock farming and the role of multinational corporations in shaping the global meat market. The report also discusses alternative approaches to meat production that are more sustainable, ethical, and environmentally friendly.

Main Points

Global Meat Market Trends

• The global meat market is becoming increasingly concentrated, with a few large corporations controlling a significant share of production and trade.
• Developed countries are experiencing a decline in meat consumption, while developing countries, particularly in Asia, are seeing rapid growth.
• The rise of the middle class in countries like China and India is driving demand for meat, especially chicken, which is expected to account for nearly half of the additional meat consumed by 2022.

Environmental Impact

• Livestock production contributes to about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Industrial farming practices, including overuse of water, feed, and agrochemicals, have severe environmental consequences.
• Overfertilization leads to water pollution, the formation of "dead zones" in coastal waters, and health risks from nitrates and antibiotic residues.

Social and Ethical Concerns

• The concentration of the meat industry in the hands of a few corporations threatens smallholder farmers and local food systems.
• Industrial livestock farming is associated with poor animal welfare, the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, and the exploitation of workers in slaughterhouses.
• In many regions, especially in developing countries, the rise of industrial meat production is displacing local farmers and disrupting traditional food systems.

Meat Production and Consumption Patterns

• In developed countries, meat consumption has peaked and is beginning to decline, driven by consumer concerns about food safety and ethical issues.
• Chicken is becoming the dominant meat in many parts of the world, with production increasingly industrialized.
• Women in Africa and Asia play a significant role in small-scale poultry farming, which can improve their economic independence and food security.

The Role of Agribusiness and Corporations

• Multinational corporations like JBS SA and Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. are expanding globally, often at the expense of local producers and ecosystems.
• These companies benefit from economies of scale and have significant influence over global food systems, including the control of feed and grain markets.

Alternatives to Industrial Meat Production

• There are viable alternatives to industrial meat production, including sustainable farming practices, local feed production, and pasture-based animal husbandry.
• These alternatives can reduce environmental impact, improve animal welfare, and support local economies.
• The report encourages informed and critical consumption, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in the food industry.

Key Information

• The MEAT ATLAS is jointly published by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Friends of the Earth Europe.
• It was first published in January 2014 and is available in English.
• The report is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) license, except for pages 64-65.
• The report includes contributions from various experts and researchers, highlighting the complexity of global meat production.

Conclusion

The MEAT ATLAS underscores the urgent need for a radical transformation of the global food system. It calls for policies that support sustainable and ethical meat production, and for consumers to be more aware of the consequences of their choices. The report also emphasizes the importance of food sovereignty and the need for a more equitable distribution of food resources.