European Vegetarian Union (EVU) EVU-talks 2007: 'The veggie answer to world hunger' Presentation from Renato Pichler

European Vegetarian Union (EVU)

EVU-talks 2007:EVU-talks 2007:

'The veggie answer to world hunger''The veggie answer to world hunger'

Presentation from Renato PichlerPresentation from Renato Pichler


1. GeneralTendency of global populationSome 76 million people are added to the world’s population every year.

Worlds population in 1000 persons

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) estimates that to meet the needs of the world’s population in 2020, food production will have to double.


Tendency of global grain/rice crops 2030 The net cereal deficits of developing countries could rise to 265 million tonnes. (FAO)

Grain 1961 [t] 2005 [t]

Maize 205'004'683 711'762'871 Often for livestock.

Wheat 222'357'231 630'556'602

Rice 284'654'697 621'588'528

Barley 72'411'104 139'220'431

For bread and chicken feed.Primary cereal of tropical regions.For malting and livestock.


Tendency of consumption of global meat

1980 4'434'682 136'219'200 30.72

1990 5'263'049 179'647'766 34.13

2000 6'070'581 234'671'287 38.66

2003 6'301'463 253'687'989 40.26

2004 6'377'646 260'097'534 40.78

Year world popul. meat prod. [t] meat per capita [kg]

Between 1964-66 and 1997-99, per capita meat consumption in developing countries rose by 150 percent, and that of milk and dairy products by 60 percent. By 2030, per capita consumption of livestock products could rise by a further 44 percent.


2. Problems with the 2. Problems with the fabrication of animal products fabrication of animal products


Extension of the food chain7–16 kg of grain or soya beans are needed to produce 1 kg of meat. This can easily be defined as one of the most effective ways to waste foodstuffs. The artificial extension of the food chain due to the transformation of grain into meat causes a huge loss of nutrients, including 90% protein, 99% carbohydrates and 100% fibre, among other things. In addition to this, only a small portion of the body of a slaughtered animal consists of meat – 35% of the weight of a cow or 39% of a calf (excluding bones).

10 kg cereals 1 kg bodyweight 450 g meat


Production of feedIn order to meet the world-wide demand for meat, enormous monoculture are needed for the production of feed. It is also in this industry where genetic engineering is employed at the most important scope. Pesticides and herbicides are also used in large quantities.

In the USA, 8 billion slaughter animals eat their way through 80% of the grain harvest. 90% of the world’s soya beans serve as animal fodder. In total, approximately half of the grain produced worldwide is fed to animals so that their meat can be eaten.

In 1950, 170 kg of grain per head was adequate to nourish the population of Taiwan. By 1990, meat and egg consumption had multiplied sixfold. The grain requirement per head has increased to 390 kg due to this extension of the food chain. Despite steadily increasing harvests, Taiwan can only meet this rising demand through imports. While Taiwan was a grain exporter in 1950, in 1990 it had to import 74% of the quantity needed, mostly in the form of fodder.


Requirement of land for animals


Water consumptionOne could shower every day for a year with the same amount of water needed

to produce 1 kilo of meat.


Global warmingPress release from the United Nations on 29 November 2006:

According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.

From the website of the European Union:«Eat your veg! Producing meat is both CO2 and methane-intensive and requires large amounts of water. In fact, ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep and goats are large producers of methane due to the way that their digestive systems process food.»


Global warming 2The connection between global warming and world hunger:

Asia: Rising global temperatures could cause food shortages affecting 130 million people across Asia by 2050

Africa: Wheat, a staple in Africa, may disappear from the continent by the 2080s

Bangladesh: rice production may fall by just under 10 percent and wheat by a third by the year 2050

Latin America: Farmers will have to abandon traditional crops such as corn, rice, wheat and sugar as their soil becomes increasingly saline.


3. Political 3. Political initiativesinitiatives


FAO strategyFAO statement for solving the hunger-problem:

«Productivity improvements are likely to be a major source of growth. Milk yields should improve, while breeding and improved management will increase average carcass weights and off-take rates.»

«Major political and technical corrections need to be taken to address the environmental impact of livestock production that will otherwise worsen dramatically, given the projected expansion of the livestock sector.»


UN strategyFrom their document «Halving hunger: it can be done» (UN Millenium-Project):

«The protein and micronutrients contained in milk, eggs, and meat are especially needed by the most severely affected food-insecure groups – women and children in poor households.»

«Increase livestock production in food-insecure communities to expand access to milk, eggs, and meat and raise incomes. Assist in establishing small-scale intensive production systems for dairy products, eggs, and poultry. Promote small-scale aquaculture to provide low-cost fish for food-insecure communities.»


4. The 4. The solutionsolution


Can vegetarianism help?

Reducing the food chain

More food for humans

More land for human nutrition

Water saving

Better climate by reducing the production of methan and other gases

Documents

European Vegetarian Union (EVU) EVU-talks 2007: 'The veggie answer to world hunger' Presentation from Renato Pichler