Dairy Farming in the 21st Century: Global Ethics, Environment and Politics

This study examines the global dairy industry to balance human needs with those of animals and the environment, discussing issues such as methane emissions, mega-dairies, CAFOs, hormones, and GMOs. It offers a comprehensive overview of the industry, linking ethics, environment, health, and policy-making.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Global Dairy Industry: Balancing Needs and Challenges for a Growing Population

The global dairy industry faces significant challenges as the world's population continues to grow, reaching an estimated 7 billion people and projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Achieving food security for this expanding population is a daunting task that requires a multifaceted approach.

This study delves into the global dairy industry, examining how to balance the needs of humans with those of animals and the environment. It scrutinizes the issue of ruminant bovines, which emit methane, a greenhouse gas that can be reduced by adding seaweed to cattle feed. The study also explores the question of whether the multi-thousand-cow mega-dairies prevalent in the United States are appropriate models for Africa and Asia's high-growth dairy regions, where many women are smallholders.

Furthermore, the study raises ethical concerns about keeping cows in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where they are fed unnatural high-energy/low-fiber diets, contrary to their natural grazing preferences. Other issues such as the use of hormones for oestrus stimulation and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for increased milk yield are also discussed, as they stress cows' immune systems and drastically shorten their longevity.

This book offers a comprehensive discussion of the central and ancillary issues relevant to dairying and the consumption of plant- and laboratory-based foods in the 21st century. It provides a thorough overview, linking ethics, environment, health, and policy-making with in-depth coverage of the major dairy farming regions of the world. No other book to date offers such a comprehensive perspective, bridging the gap between these diverse disciplines and providing valuable insights into the complex challenges and opportunities facing the global dairy industry.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838604523