Livestock farming “too precious” to fall victim to “zealotry”, scientists say

Scientists behind nine new research papers published in the journal Animal Frontiers are among those to sign the Dublin Declaration, which explores the value of meat among a global rise in veganism and vegetarianism.

Livestock systems, the declaration says, ‘are too precious to society to become the victim of simplification, reductionism or zealotry. These systems must continue to be embedded in and have broad approval of society’.

Commenting on the benefits to human health, it says: ‘Livestock-derived foods provide a variety of essential nutrients and other health-promoting compounds, many of which are lacking in diets globally, even among those populations with higher incomes.’

Whilst some ‘well-resourced’ individuals may be able to maintain adequate nutrition when meat, eggs and dairy are heavily restricted, ‘this approach should not be recommended for general populations, particularly not those with elevated needs, such as children and adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, women of reproductive age, older adults and the chronically ill.’

When it comes to the environment, the declaration argues that well-managed livestock systems applying agro-ecological principles can offer a range of benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved soil health and biodiversity.

Although acknowledging that the sector faces challenges with natural resources utilisation and climate change that require action, drastic reductions of livestock numbers ‘could actually incur environmental problems on a large scale,’ experts warn.

The research also challenged previous research linking red meat consumption with poor health outcomes worldwide.

Dr Alice Stanton of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland has been quoted in the media as saying: “The peer-reviewed evidence published today reaffirms that the most prominent global study which claimed that consumption of even tiny amounts of red meat harms health (the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Risk Factors Report) is fatally scientifically flawed and should be retracted.

“In fact, removing fresh meat and dairy from diets would harm human health. Women, children, the elderly and those of low income would be particularly negatively impacted.”