Improving Human Diets and Welfare through Using Herbivore-Based Foods: 1. Human and Animal Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Human health and diet are intrinsically linked, with diverse diets typically including both animal and plant-based foods.
• Growing concerns regarding human health in developed nations and environmental impacts have led to calls for reduced animal-food consumption.
• Despite these concerns, animal-sourced foods offer superior nutritional value compared to plant-based alternatives, supporting continued consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of animal proteins in human societies, referencing United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) issues.
• To quantify and mitigate unintended consequences of animal-sourced food production on the environment, animal health, and herd management.
• Focus on dominant grazed pastoral-based systems in temperate climates like New Zealand and Ireland.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of issues associated with animal-sourced foods, particularly in pastoral-based systems.
• Examination of environmental, animal health, and herd management consequences.
• Reference to UN-FAO guidelines and data.

Main Results:

• Animal-sourced foods are a crucial component of the human diet.
• Production systems can lead to unintended environmental, animal health, and herd management issues.
• Technologies and refined systems exist or are under development to address these consequences.

Conclusions:

• Animal-sourced foods remain essential for human nutrition.
• Sustainable production practices are necessary to manage environmental and animal welfare impacts.
• Ongoing technological advancements offer solutions for mitigating negative consequences in animal agriculture.