How power in corporate-industrial meat supply chains enables negative externalities: Three case studies from Brazil, the US, and Australia
Global corporate-industrial meat production is associated with harms to social, animal, and planetary health. Although national policy discussions are lacking, some studies suggest addressing these harms through taxation and supply chain standards. However, these proposals overlook the potential role of corporate power in creating and perpetuating these harms. Our study addresses this gap by examining how political, economic, and structural features of food systems enable the meat industry to externalize costs of production and perpetuate ecological and social harms. Here, we analyze three case studies from different stages of global supply chains, revealing a highly concentrated meat industry, close industry-government ties, reduced regulatory oversight, and entrenched cultural norms about meat’s significance to food security. It calls for policy responses that address the economic and political power of the meat industry and the enabling of social and ecological externalities. Finally, it recommends adoption of a whole-of-food system approach to addressing unaccountable industry power.
• Meat production externalizes many environmental and social costs • Case studies from multiple stages of meat supply chains explore these externalities • Externalities are revealed to stem from power asymmetries within food systems • Addressing power via holistic policies is vital for sustainable RPM production
International organizations and expert groups increasingly call for reductions in the production and consumption of red and processed meat (RPM) due to its significant environmental and social impacts. RPM, including beef, pork, and processed meat, is linked to higher greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water usage, and health risks compared to other meats. Despite these concerns, political priority remains low due to the powerful meat industry’s influence. This study investigates how the meat industry externalizes these costs throughout global supply chains, affecting the environment and society. For example, soybean production for animal feed in Brazil leads to deforestation, while live exports from Australia raise animal welfare concerns. The highly concentrated meat industry and its close ties with governments as well as cultural norms regarding meat’s importance may perpetuate these practices. Understanding these dynamics can inform policies to mitigate the adverse effects of RPM production and consumption.
This study examines how the political economy of food systems enables the meat industry to avoid accountability for the social and environmental costs of red and processed meat production. Through three global supply chain case studies, it identifies industry power dynamics, including government co-optation, market concentration, and reduced regulatory oversight. The findings highlight the need for more holistic policy responses to address the meat industry’s unaccountable power and its impacts on the environment and social and animal welfare
• Meat production externalizes many environmental and social costs • Case studies from multiple stages of meat supply chains explore these externalities • Externalities are revealed to stem from power asymmetries within food systems • Addressing power via holistic policies is vital for sustainable RPM production
International organizations and expert groups increasingly call for reductions in the production and consumption of red and processed meat (RPM) due to its significant environmental and social impacts. RPM, including beef, pork, and processed meat, is linked to higher greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water usage, and health risks compared to other meats. Despite these concerns, political priority remains low due to the powerful meat industry’s influence. This study investigates how the meat industry externalizes these costs throughout global supply chains, affecting the environment and society. For example, soybean production for animal feed in Brazil leads to deforestation, while live exports from Australia raise animal welfare concerns. The highly concentrated meat industry and its close ties with governments as well as cultural norms regarding meat’s importance may perpetuate these practices. Understanding these dynamics can inform policies to mitigate the adverse effects of RPM production and consumption.
This study examines how the political economy of food systems enables the meat industry to avoid accountability for the social and environmental costs of red and processed meat production. Through three global supply chain case studies, it identifies industry power dynamics, including government co-optation, market concentration, and reduced regulatory oversight. The findings highlight the need for more holistic policy responses to address the meat industry’s unaccountable power and its impacts on the environment and social and animal welfare
Article, 2024