Global meat demand set to soar

Carlow: World population growth, changing patterns of consumption and increased purchasing power point to a massive increase in food demand, which must have a positive impact on Irish farming and food production over the next decade.

So said David Rath, president, Agricultural Science Association (ASA), at the opening of its annual conference in Carlow last night.

“We are facing a revolution in demand for livestock products over the coming 10 to 15 years. In the developing countries, we will see billions of people diversifying from primarily starch-based diets into increased amounts of meat and milk.

“It will take 60 million extra beef cattle, 200m extra sheep and 30m more cows to meet the increased food demand in the developing world over the next 15 years.”

Mr Rath said countries in South America will be the major direct beneficiaries of this increased demand.

But there is likely to be lower exports from these countries to Europe, and so greater opportunities for Irish exports of meat and milk to Europe and the Middle East.

He said that while the structure of farming will continue to evolve, committed producers should look to the future with confidence. However, the conditions under which they operate, including the regulatory framework, must not be a barrier to competitiveness.

He said the ASA is concerned about the proposals all veterinary medicines must be prescribed by vets. This is anti-competitive, he said.

The ASA has proposed other professionals, with training where necessary, be allowed prescribe certain routine medicines.