The Contribution of Livestock to the World Protein Supply

The analysis presented in this paper on "The Contribution of Livestock to the World Protein Supply" unfolded a set of conclusions relative to the world-protein situation and the contribution of animals to the protein supply. These conclusions are summarized below:

-- Sufficient protein is now produced in the world to satisfy the requirements not only of the present population but also those of the projected population for the year 2000. In spite of this surplus, protein deficiency does occur among some population groups — particularly among the poor in developing regions. Redistribution of food supplies from rich countries to poor countries is generally not an acceptable long-term course of action since it will only perpetuate food-import dependency and drain scarce foreign exchange in the developing countries. Rather, the developed countries should provide long-term assistance in the development of the food-production process to those areas where food deficits exist.

-- Food from animal products is of extreme importance to the protein supply; the meat, milk, and eggs produced in 1977 contained sufficient protein and essential amino acids to meet 80 percent and 96 percent, respectively, of the world's population requirements for these nutrients. Significant improvements in overall animal' production and productivity can yet be realized, particularly in developing areas. Inadequate feeding, sanitation, and breeding and selection programs, and lack of established animal management and marketing systems are constraints that need the attention and 184necessary corrective action from leaders in developing countries.

-- Animals do not necessarily compete for food with man. Only through ruminants (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and others) can the vast grassland areas, agroindustrial by-products and crop residues be converted from nonfood materials to high quality, protein-rich food. In the developing world, pigs and fowl kept largely by small farmers depend on waste food and feed for most of their nutrient needs. The extent to which grain, or for that matter any other feed, is fed to livestock depends on prevailing economic conditions. In the developed regions, such as North America, this practice is feasible because of a large supply of feed grains (corn, barley, and sorghum) and a strong demand for animal products. In developing countries very little grain is fed due to a short supply and widespread use for human consumption, which makes grain relatively expensive as an animal-feed source.

-- Animal products will continue to be desirable food items in the foreseeable future. In virtually every analysis, the proportional increase in demand for livestock products, as income increases, is much greater than for crop products. The compound annual growth rates in consumption for 1970 to 1985 in the developing countries, for example, are 3.9 percent for meat and 3.2 percent for grains.

-- The per unit cost of animal protein is surprisingly low. It costs the American consumer less to obtain his/her daily protein requirement from poultry meat, eggs, cheese, or milk than from bread, rice, or potatoes. However, properly balanced diets that include mixtures of both plant and animal products are likely to be more economical and nutritious in the long run.

-- The United States is confronted with a series of important issues related to food supply which will affect not only our own welfare but that of other nations as well. Among these are: (a) the need to establish a forward-looking policy on the use of land and other resources for food production; (b) the need to sustain our agricultural research; (c) the need to evaluate the disposition of farm products; (d) the necessity of adequately addressing international food and agriculture issues; and (e) the urgency to crystallize United States food and agriculture policies.