Intro
Forums
Last 30 Days
Tree View


Search Help
Chronological
Keywords


Requirements
Copyright
Register/Profile
Prepare Upload


Real Workshops
Contact
Credits

 
Forum 1: World Food Supply
Conference: Forum 1: World Food Supply
Animal Production and World Food Supply

Joern Hamann, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
Christopher Delgado, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC

Aside from the influence of religious and cultural factors, the demand for food from animal sources is determined by consumers' available purchasing power - an aspect which has led to a very close correlation between industrialisation and consumption of meat, milk products, eggs, etc. Although natural factors such as climate, soil, and infrastructure influence livestock production, it is also increasingly determined by national and international trade agreements (e.g. WTO) in the wake of increasing global competition. Production intensification is unavoidable if food supply is to be secured for the world population of 7.2 billion anticipated by 2010, while agricultural land area shrinks from 0.4 to 0.2 ha per capita.

Goals of the scientific discourse

  • Definition of the world-wide requirements for food from animal production as well as the resultant demand for modern livestock farming systems in consideration of local and regional conditions and to insure a balanced flow between soil, plant and animal biosystems.

  • Analysis of possible negative effects of modern technologies, including consumer expectations as to food quality in connection with the production environment of the animals.