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After feasting on meat for three days, most Pakistanis are probably looking to cut down on their intake of the food group in coming days. But a recent report by the Worldwatch Institute (WWI) shows, global meat production and consumption are both scaling down; and for different reasons.
According to the study, global meat production stood at 297 million tons in 2011, and is expected to grow to 302 million tons by the end of this year. The expected increase is relatively low compared to the growth in production in previous years. Between 2001 and 2010, meat production had jetted by a whopping 20 percent.
"Record drought in the US Midwest, animal disease outbreaks, and rising prices of livestock feed all contributed to 2011 and 2012s lower rise in production" cited report authors Danielle Nierenberg and Laura Reynolds.
The rise in the consumption of meat has also slowed down in the past year, compared to the previous decade. WWI also highlighted that while the disparity in per capita meat consumption between developed and developing economies is shrinking, the gulf between the two remains significantly large.
A geographic analysis by the Institute offers some insights to the future of the global meat market. It has brought to focus the fact that North America is no longer the worlds beef capital. Back in 2000, North America had led the world in beef production, at 13 million tons.
However, the tide turned by 2011 as North American beef production dropped by 200,000 tons while South America and Asia shot ahead with meat production of 15 million tons and 17 million tons, respectively.
Even in the countries that are seemingly racing ahead in meat production, problems such as animal disease have taken a toll on overall output. "In 2011 alone, foot-and-mouth disease was detected in Paraguay, African swine fever in Russia, classical swine fever in Mexico and avian influenza throughout Asia" cited the report.
The incidence of these and other animal diseases has been proven to be higher in factory farms; facilities where a large number of animals are stocked together, in densely packed stalls and bred on concentrated animal feed to help accelerate growth.
These findings are alarming, considering that three-fourths of all emerging infectious diseases in humans now originate in animals and that 2.7 million people die each year, from diseases transmitted to humans from animals.
But the true entrepreneur finds opportunity where others see gloom and doom. In this case, Pakistani animal farmers are staring at a chance to rise as formidable suppliers in the global meat market.
For one, Pakistani animal husbandry still relies largely on grazing cattle in open fields; not cramped factory farms that work as depositories of animal disease and infection. The WWI has also highlighted the need to reconnect meat production to the land and its natural nurturing capacity.
Secondly, the established leaders of the global meat market are expected to remain in hot water, going forward due to rising costs of animal feed and occurrence of animal diseases. On the other hand, buyers are also increasingly reluctant towards mass-produced meat from farm factories.
This situation presents a window of opportunity for marketing Pakistani beef, mutton and poultry as health and environment friendly meat, truly fit for human consumption.
However, there are some hurdles that must be overcome to capitalize on the emerging scenario. Logistical infrastructure is needed to ensure smooth supply to regional and international markets. Certifications and approvals for export to these markets also require the assistance of the Government of Pakistan for the establishment of transparent and trustworthy testing facilities, as well as agreements with regulators of the target markets.
Pakistani animals have long been smuggled across the western border, where they fetch top-dollar from meat-starved consumers. Organised efforts by the government and private sector can help propel gains manifold, while also contributing to the national exchequer through documented trade of a hitherto ill-organised sector.

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