| dc.description.abstract | The role of livestock in supporting human well-being is contentious, with different perceptions leading to polarised
opinions. There is increasing concern about the health and environmental impacts of a high rate of
consumption of livestock products in high-income countries. These concerns are heightened by an increase in
consumption in middle-income countries. On the other hand, livestock support the livelihoods of many people,
particularly in low income countries. The benefits of livestock for poor livestock keepers are multiple, including
the important role livestock play in supporting crop production in mixed systems, in supplying nutrients and
income, and in fulfilling cultural roles. In addition livestock can provide resilience against economic and climate
shocks. In view of these apparent positive and negative impacts, the role of livestock in human wellbeing is
highly contested, with arguments ‘for’ or ‘against’ sometimes distorted by vested interests or misinterpretation of
evidence. The Livestock Fact Check project, undertaken by the Livestock Data for Decisions community of
practice, has investigated several ideas concerning livestock commonly taken as ‘fact’. By exploring the provenance
of these ‘facts’ we highlight their importance and the risks of both misinterpreting them or using them
out of context. Despite the diversity of the livestock sector resulting in equally diverse viewpoints, the project
calls for participants in the livestock discourse to adopt a nuanced appreciation of global livestock systems.
Judgement of livestock's role in global sustainable diets should be based on clear and well-interpreted information. | en |
