Biology

Scientists challenge ‘misleading’ Dublin Declaration defending meat consumption

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The declaration, which has 1,000 signatories in support of meat consumption and industrial agricultural production, is being challenged by a group of scientists led by Dr Chris Bryant from the University of Bath.

In a commentary in Nature Food, 12 scientists from research institutions around the world argue that the ‘Dublin Declaration’ focuses only on the benefits derived from a small number of livestock animals, and that the vast majority of livestock are critical to human health. They say it ignores the obvious harm it causes to the environment.

In particular, the paper acknowledges that while the ‘Dublin Declaration’ focuses on livestock and agroecological systems in developing countries, the majority of livestock exists in high-income countries and industrial farming systems. It claims that it has not.

The commentary was published ahead of the Dublin Declaration summit to be held in Colorado at the end of October.

The declaration, published in 2022 and backed by more than 1,000 signatories, asserts that meat, dairy and eggs provide essential nutrients and environmental benefits. However, an investigation by the Guardian revealed that the document had links to the livestock industry and was being used to lobby against EU environmental policy.

Dr Chris Bryant, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bath, said: ‘The Dublin Declaration over-generalizes evidence that applies to just 2% of the world’s livestock, and the serious and serious consequences of livestock production and consumption at current levels. “We have not found any acute harm.” This is especially true in high-income and upper-middle income countries, where more than 75% of meat is consumed. ”

This commentary, co-authored by scientists from world-class institutions such as the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, deconstructs the Declaration’s argument that reducing meat consumption is unnecessary.

Dr Bryant added: ‘The Dublin Declaration was deliberately crafted by livestock industry activists to mislead policy makers into thinking there was no need to reduce meat consumption. “Now more than ever, we must face and pay attention to the complex challenges surrounding global livestock production.” There is an urgent need to curb industrial animal agriculture in high-income countries. ”

The public rebuttal comes ahead of the “Dublin Declaration” summit to be held in Colorado at the end of October. Organizers say the summit will “promote an open, frank and transparent dialogue among international audiences about what the science says about the role of livestock and meat (including poultry) production in the global community.” “We will do so.”

But Dr Bryant said: “Scientific rigor and transparency still trump industry-favored narratives, especially when it comes to the pressing challenges of our health, environmental sustainability and the future of our food system. It is important,” he added.

Further information: Chris Bryant et al, “Dublin Declaration fails to recognize the need to reduce industrial livestock farming”, Nature Food (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-01054-2

Provided by University of Bath

Citation: Scientists challenge ‘misleading’ Dublin Declaration defending meat consumption (11 October 2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-10-scientists-dublin-declaration- Retrieved October 11, 2024 from defense-meat.html

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