In major livestock-producing LMICs, what are the government policies and financial support that favor global meat processors and retailers' production and consolidation?
Context and Relevance:
In many African countries, there is significant focus and priority towards food security, and this overrides all other considerations, including animal welfare. Governments also actively focus and promote intensive farming, and many of the senior government officials are also stakeholders and owners of these farms. With regard to civil society, the animal welfare civil society movement is gradually growing and taking their space in calling out against intensive farming and industrialization, though animal welfare organizations need more support in terms of training and funding to increase their strength and capacity to better advocate and campaign for the animals.
Potential Research Approach:
Policy Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of government policies, subsidies, tax incentives, and other financial supports that favor industrial animal production and global meat processors in select LMICs. This review should include an analysis of trade agreements, investment policies, and regulatory frameworks.
Civil Society Investigation: Investigate the track record of civil society organizations, including NGOs, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations, in opposing these policies. Examine the strategies employed, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
Case Studies: Identify specific instances where government policies have significantly impacted the consolidation of global meat processors and retailers, and where civil society efforts have successfully influenced policy change or mitigation of negative impacts.
Additional Questions:
What is the track record of civil society's efforts to oppose such official measures?
How do government policies and financial supports for industrial animal production in LMICs affect local small-scale farmers and rural communities, and what are the broader socio-economic implications of these policies?
What specific policy interventions or reforms have proven effective in countering the influence of global meat processors and promoting more sustainable and humane practices in livestock production within LMICs?