A group of MPs has recommended that people reduce the amount of meat they eat to help prevent food shortages in Britain and in poorer countries.
The International Development Select Committee is highlighting how, globally, demand for meat is increasing, leading to a growth in the production of grainfed livestock, with crops used to feed livestock instead of humans.
In its report Global Food Security, the MPS say that meat should be viewed as an “occasional product rather than an everyday staple” and caution that rich and rapidly industrialising nations’ increasing appetite for meat is driving up the cost of grain and fuelling deforestation.
The report suggests that such moves should be part of a wider food security strategy with the UK doing more to help smallholders in developing countries.
It also highlights how Britain’s dependence on an unsustainable global food system left it open to food shortages.
“With the UK never more than a few days away from a significant food shortage, UK consumers should also be encouraged over time to reduce how often they eat meat,” said Liberal Democrat committee chairman Sir Malcolm Bruce.
The committee also wants the Government to urge households to cut the amount of food they throw away and promote schemes which work in redistributing unwanted food. A recent report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers claimed that between 30 and 50% of food produced in the world (1.2–2 billion tonnes) is wasted annually.
The International Development Select Committee’s advice comes before David Cameron’s international Hunger Summit in London on 8 June and the vital G8 Summit in Belfast on 17 and 18 June. Join thousands of Enough Food for Everyone IF supporters in Hyde Park this Saturday to call on world leaders to help beat the causes of hunger and save millions of lives.