Feed the World

News has come in this week of rising food prices, particularly cereals - it is the result of a world-wide shortage. It will means a few pence on the price of bread, corn flakes as well as meat, dairy products and eggs. The reason why the price of animal products will rise is because cows, pigs and chickens are fed on cereals. For those in the developed world, this will not be welcome news. For the poorest in the Third World it could leave them hungry.

There are particular reasons for the current food inflation such as the crop failure in Russia. But there is also an underlying problem, which if not addressed will leave millions starving. There is enough food to feed the world; there is enough land to give everyone a reasonable diet. Undernutrition and starvation occur because of poor allocation. But the developed world uses far more than its fair share. Leave aside the problem of Western obesity here, the reason why we consume so much is that we grow plants and feed them to animals and then eat them or their products (milk and eggs). This is very inefficient. It takes many kilos of wheat or soya to produce one kilo of beef, pork, chicken or cheese.

The planet could just about cope with this but the Third World is now producing a 'middle class' who use their increasing income on luxuries. They aspire to a Western diet of meat once or twice per day rather than once or twice per week or month. With limited supply (only one planet) and increased demand, prices rise. As they buy meat, eggs and dairy they increase the number of animal mouths to feed and literally take the bread or rice away from the very poor, who cannot afford the higher prices.

Over the next few years this problem will become more accute and no one has really thought how to deal with it. A free-market solution will lead to the unacceptable consequences of selective famine. Science may save the day by finding even more intensive forms of farming but there is no guarentee this will succeed. There then remain three options:

(1) World War II style rationing: Of course it would only apply to meat, eggs and dairy. There would no reason to ration sugar or vegetable fat or for that matter soap or clothing, as happened then. There would actually be no need to ration (caught) fish or hunted animals (e.g. game).

(2) Production quotas: The government decides the amount of beef, pork, eggs etc that may be produced. This is currently employed to preserve fish stocks. Of course, the prices will rise.

(3) Extra taxes on the problem foods so that consumption is reduced. This has the advantage over (2) that the money from higher prices goes to the government and not as excessive profits to the producers. Thus other taxes can be cut or public spending increased.

(4) Voluntary cutting down of animal products: This means meat once or twice a week. Soya mince, sausages, milk etc. can be eaten with a clear conscience.

Many people are opting for this semi-vegetarian lifestyle. It is actually more healthy.

What am I doing? I am a consequentialist vegan. The only animal products I eat are honey and, occasionally, eggs from my sister's pet chickens - they are pampered family pets that will not be killed when they get old and stop laying. I do so for reasons of animal welfare. But the economic (or perhaps humanitarian) arguments, I find, are more and more compelling.