ABSTRACT
In the nineteenth century there was some concern for animal welfare but it was less prominent, and a better understanding of the health risks that animal disease posed for humans only began after 1880. But in the post-war world this changed, and it became a concern about whether the current level of nutrition matched the reduced energy requirements of modern living, or was excessive. Since the 1970s the meat industry has met with a generally critical reception. The intensive methods of factory livestock farming on animal welfare have evoked keen debate. But in addition, modern farming techniques, factory production, and marketing methods were all subject to criticism. A great deal of attention was paid to the first of these and the urgent attempts to reduce the fat content of all red meats were largely effective.
