ABSTRACT
Animal commodities have been central to human existence for millennia. As well as supplying human dietary needs in the form of meat, milk and eggs, they have been used for clothing, for ornamentation and for medicine. Animal fat, blubber and excrement have also served as fertiliser and as fuel, permitting humans to grow crops, cook their food and heat and light their homes. This chapter provides an overview of the commodification of animals and explores their changing role within global trade. It examines how the acquisition, processing and marketing of different animal commodities have shifted as a result of faster transportation, new markets and technological innovations. It also considers the ecological and ethical issues posed by the commodification of animals, from overharvesting to intensive farming. The chapter concludes with case studies of four different animal products: pork, ivory, musk and cochineal. It assesses how their use has changed over time, and discusses the ethical and environmental issues raised by production.
