The advent of a global pandemic is making many shrug at the thought of eating meat, especially when exotic animals are involved.

China is the hub of all kinds of uncanny food - be it centipedes, dogs, or tarantulas - everything is a delicacy in China. However, the public sentiment and consumption patterns may be shifting after the havoc wreaked by COVID-19.

A more health conscious population

Many Chinese companies are investing in plant-based meat products in the wake of a more health conscious population owing to coronavirus.

China currently has a huge meat supply chain, and it is not going to be tremendously altered. But vegetarian alternatives to meat are gaining prominence across the world, including China.

<h6><img alt="A dish containing plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat, is seen during lunch time at a Hope Tree restaurant in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ac39381-27e7-4098-b5d1-fb5d0b43240b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_151.jpg" />A dish containing plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat, is seen during lunch time at a Hope Tree restaurant in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

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Beyond Meat Inc, a company from the US recently signed a deal to set up a production facility near Shanghai.&nbsp;

Earlier, the company had partnered with Starbucks to serve its plant-based meat products in coffee shops across China.

Local players are not behind. Beijing’s Zhenmeat produces plant-based meatballs, steak, pork, beef patty, porn loin, dumplings, and crayfish. Zhenmeat is one of many Chinese companies that are starting to turn to plant based food in a country that consumes all kinds of meat.

"Now after COVID-19 consumers are more concerned about health and restaurant brands are responding to this,” Zhenmeat founder and CEO Vince Lu said in an interview, Reuters reported.

Lu added that sales were "up considerably" since June, suggesting that people are responding to the coronavirus crisis.

Meat is the real competition

Customers at Hope Tree restaurant, where the meatballs are being served, said that the plant-based meatballs tasted like tofu.

“Actually you can tell that it isn't meat but the feel of it in your mouth is very similar to beef. And I guess that plant-based meat is a little healthier than beef,” Audrey Jiang, 30, told Reuters.

<h6><img alt="Customers choose the ingredients for their meal at a Hope Tree restaurant which is offering plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c97e831d-b817-4009-97f1-4a6fc34360e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_106.jpg" />Customers choose the ingredients for their meal at a Hope Tree restaurant which is offering plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

&nbsp;

Ben Cavender, China Market Research Group Director claimed that taste will be the primary signifier of the future of the plant-based market.

"When we interview consumers the vast majority say they're open to trying these products once," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/amid-food-shortage-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-orders-citizens-to-give-up-dogs-for-meat-321671" hreflang="en">Amid food shortage, North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders citizens to give up dogs for meat</a>

"But the big question is how do they like it? Do they see how they can fit it into their diet on daily basis, whether that's cooking at home or at restaurants? But if they do like it they'll keep buying”, Cavender added.

Zhenmeat’s Lu added that even though there is a lot of competition in the market, the biggest competition was the meat industry itself.

“The most important thing is that our true competitors are not those global giants who have already achieved great success such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods,” he said.

"Our true competitor is the whole livestock sector. It's the animal protein industry”, Lu concluded.

The advent of a global pandemic is making many shrug at the thought of eating meat, especially when exotic animals are involved. China is the hub of all kinds of uncanny food - be it centipedes, dogs, or tarantulas - everything is a delicacy in China.

The advent of a global pandemic is making many shrug at the thought of eating meat, especially when exotic animals are involved. China is the hub of all kinds of uncanny food - be it centipedes, dogs, or tarantulas - everything is a delicacy in China. However, the public sentiment and consumption patterns may be shifting after the havoc wreaked by COVID-19. A more health conscious population Many Chinese companies are investing in plant-based meat products in the wake of a more health conscious population owing to coronavirus. China currently has a huge meat supply chain, and it is not going to be tremendously altered. But vegetarian alternatives to meat are gaining prominence across the world, including China. A dish containing plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat, is seen during lunch time at a Hope Tree restaurant in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020 | Reuters Beyond Meat Inc, a company from the US recently signed a deal to set up a production facility near Shanghai. Earlier, the company had partnered with Starbucks to serve its plant-based meat products in coffee shops across China. Local players are not behind. Beijing’s Zhenmeat produces plant-based meatballs, steak, pork, beef patty, porn loin, dumplings, and crayfish. Zhenmeat is one of many Chinese companies that are starting to turn to plant based food in a country that consumes all kinds of meat. "Now after COVID-19 consumers are more concerned about health and restaurant brands are responding to this,” Zhenmeat founder and CEO Vince Lu said in an interview, Reuters reported. Lu added that sales were "up considerably" since June, suggesting that people are responding to the coronavirus crisis. Meat is the real competition Customers at Hope Tree restaurant, where the meatballs are being served, said that the plant-based meatballs tasted like tofu. “Actually you can tell that it isn't meat but the feel of it in your mouth is very similar to beef. And I guess that plant-based meat is a little healthier than beef,” Audrey Jiang, 30, told Reuters. Customers choose the ingredients for their meal at a Hope Tree restaurant which is offering plant-based meatballs produced by Zhenmeat in Beijing, China September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020 | Reuters Ben Cavender, China Market Research Group Director claimed that taste will be the primary signifier of the future of the plant-based market. "When we interview consumers the vast majority say they're open to trying these products once," he said. Also read: Amid food shortage, North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders citizens to give up dogs for meat "But the big question is how do they like it? Do they see how they can fit it into their diet on daily basis, whether that's cooking at home or at restaurants? But if they do like it they'll keep buying”, Cavender added. Zhenmeat’s Lu added that even though there is a lot of competition in the market, the biggest competition was the meat industry itself. “The most important thing is that our true competitors are not those global giants who have already achieved great success such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods,” he said. "Our true competitor is the whole livestock sector. It's the animal protein industry”, Lu concluded.

No more meat? In the aftermath of COVID-19 in China, people are turning to plant-based substitute

China's pork production fell for the seventh consecutive quarter in the April-June period in the aftermath of the effects of the deadly African swine fever that decimated the pig herd in the country.

Second-quarter pork output fell 4.7 per cent compared with the same period a year ago to 9.6 million tonnes. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics also showed a 19.1 per cent drop for the first six months of the year.

The first-half drop underlines the huge task China still faces in rebuilding its hog herd since African swine fever swept through the country's farms at the end of 2018. Some analysts believe the herd shrank by as much as 60 per cent.

China slaughtered 251.03 million hogs in the first six months of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics said - a 20 per cent drop from the same period a year earlier. 
Its pig herd fell 2.2 per cent year-on-year to 339.96 million head at end-June, but was up from 321.2 million at end of March.

In the first half, meat including pork, beef, mutton, and poultry output was 34.89 million tonnes, down 11 per cent year-on-year.

Pork output is set to fall by 20 per cent this year, according to Rabobank analysts. However, output should recover in due course with the sow herd growing. The statistics bureau said the sow herd at the end of June was 36.29 million head, up 5.4 per cent from prior year, and up 7.3 per cent from 33.81 million head at the end of March.

China's pork production fell for the seventh consecutive quarter in the April-June period in the aftermath of the effects of the deadly African swine fever that decimated the pig herd in the country.

China's pork production fell for the seventh consecutive quarter in the April-June period in the aftermath of the effects of the deadly African swine fever that decimated the pig herd in the country. Second-quarter pork output fell 4.7 per cent compared with the same period a year ago to 9.6 million tonnes. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics also showed a 19.1 per cent drop for the first six months of the year. The first-half drop underlines the huge task China still faces in rebuilding its hog herd since African swine fever swept through the country's farms at the end of 2018. Some analysts believe the herd shrank by as much as 60 per cent. China slaughtered 251.03 million hogs in the first six months of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics said - a 20 per cent drop from the same period a year earlier. Its pig herd fell 2.2 per cent year-on-year to 339.96 million head at end-June, but was up from 321.2 million at end of March. In the first half, meat including pork, beef, mutton, and poultry output was 34.89 million tonnes, down 11 per cent year-on-year. Pork output is set to fall by 20 per cent this year, according to Rabobank analysts. However, output should recover in due course with the sow herd growing. The statistics bureau said the sow herd at the end of June was 36.29 million head, up 5.4 per cent from prior year, and up 7.3 per cent from 33.81 million head at the end of March.

China's pork output slides for seventh straight quarter in view of African swine fever

The West has had a eureka moment and it is called jackfruit! The quintessentially Indian fruit has become a global rage, now it is being called the new "superfood".

The West has had a eureka moment and it is called jackfruit! The quintessentially Indian fruit has become a global rage, now it is being called the new "superfood". Veganism has triggered its rise to fame with jackfruit being pegged as the best alternative to meat. The fruit's texture has become its biggest selling point. When unripe, jackfruit has a pork-like fibre. For vegans, it translates into a taste down memory lane and restaurants worldwide are cashing in on it. Anu Bhambri, the co-owner of international restaurant chain Rooh said: "People love it. Even when we had jackfruit koftas (balls), people loved those because of the texture, you can taste it, you get that texture. And then after that, our jackfruit tacos have been a hit at each and every location. Here in Paolo Alto, the jackfruit cutlet has been a hit - every table orders it. It’s one of my personal favourites." The world is going gaga over it. James Joseph, who is the founder of jackfruit365 company that produces jackfruit flour said: "So for example, 30 grams of jackfruit flour has one gram of pectin. That is the equivalent of three apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away because of pectin." Movements like 'Meat-free Mondays' and 'Veganuary' have contributed to jackfruit's demand. The coronavirus has been another factor. The zoonotic virus triggered a fear of meat. People were wary of eating chicken, pork and beef. A lot of them switched to jackfruit. It happened in the West and in India too, jackfruit farmers picked up on the demand. Varghese Tharakkhan is one of them, he said: "There are a lot of inquiries coming from several countries. They have started understanding the demand for jackfruit. Every day there are calls from people around the world asking whether containers full of jackfruit can be sent." India is the world's biggest producer of jackfruit. For anyone living in the country, the growing fascination with the fruit can be amusing and even borderline funny. Jackfruit has not had a glorious past. It was a backyard nuisance in South India. The fruit did make its way to many Indian kitchens but it was never really a hit but the times have changed. It is 2020 and jackfruit is the new 'it' fruit.

'Unwanted' jackfruit witnesses surge in demand as meat substitute

The coronavirus has re-shaped the human perception of a lot of things. Food is no exception. The pandemic has changed our eating habits. More people are rejecting meat.

The coronavirus has re-shaped the human perception of a lot of things. Food is no exception. The pandemic has changed our eating habits. More people are rejecting meat. Not too soon after the virus outbreak, a rumour flared up on social media. People said the Wuhan virus is caused by eating meat. Fuelling this rumour was the belief that bats passed the coronavirus to humans. Let's for once assume that the bat theory is correct, does it mean that non-vegetarians are at a higher risk? The answer is no. Experts have clarified this. Meat is safe. As long as it is thoroughly cleaned and properly cooked. There is a rising demand for plant-based protein. No points for guessing why. The stigma attached to meat is driving this demand. Meat substitute companies are reporting an increase in sales by up to 70 per cent. Davide Yeung's Green Mondy group is one of them, he said: "Coronavirus is not the first, and sadly, it also won't be the last unless we overhaul our food system." Another trend is the focus on healthy eating. The coronavirus has made millions of people health-conscious. Purchasing habits show that people are picking more fruits and vegetables. There is also a growing interest in immunity-building food. Finally, the elephant in the room. The pandemic has got us cooking. Most people are not just eating healthy, but also eating at home. Experts say this trend is here to stay. This, however, is not good news for the restaurant industry. In India alone, Rs 4,23,865 crores are at stake as are 700,000 jobs. These are unprecedented times for the food industry. Supplies are stretched. Lockdowns are in place--- with no word on when they will end. What will the food sector look like once restrictions are eased? No one knows. What about the consumers? Once out of the lockdown, you may choose to head straight for fried chicken or add the finishing touches to your blog on turning vegan. Whatever be your choice, make sure it's an informed one. Eating meat, or not eating meat will not save you. Eating right and clean--definitely will.

Mythbuster: Is meat the real reason for the coronavirus spread?

A rare treat for visitors at Budapest Zoo as polar bears' feeding time gave spectators a chance to watch apex predators feast on Thursday (30 JANUARY 2020).

Budapest zoo's polar bears reach for meat treats

Nestlé SA, one of the world's largest food processors, believes population growth will require human diets to adapt, reducing consumption of sugar, salt and meat products, an executive said on Wednesday.

"We have 7.5 billion people and the population continues to grow, so there is a need to eat more vegetables, cereals, and less sugar, meat products," said Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President and head of operations in the Americas.

Limited natural resources on the planet and the growing public health problem of obesity are behind the changes Freixe sees as necessary. He also cited growing public awareness of the food production process as well as issues such as child labour and deforestation, which is especially pertinent in Brazil.

Meat production, particularly beef, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions that scientists blame for global warming.

"We work constantly in the reformulation of our products," the executive told reporters ahead of an event in Sao Paulo with university students from the four countries in the Mercosur trade bloc: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is part of a career training program sponsored by the company.

Freixe also said public awareness is growing around the world regarding raw materials used to produce food. This poses a challenge for every large food processor.

"There is a lot more sensitivity on the matter everywhere, not only in Europe or the US&nbsp;We are in a connected world, people have access to information, consumers want to know where raw materials come from if they were produced ethically," he said.

Nestlé is a major buyer worldwide of coffee, sugar, cocoa and milk, among other commodities. It is a significant buyer of Brazilian coffee and sugar.

The company says it clearly states to suppliers that it does not buy raw materials that were produced in recently deforested areas or where child labour has been reported.

"The question mark is how to make that happen? Because there are millions of farmers in so many countries," the executive said. "When there is an indication of a problem, we investigate. If confirmed, we cut the supplier," he added.

Forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, jumped sharply this year, causing a wave of worldwide criticism regarding how the local government is managing the situation.

Global food companies were also pressed by consumers and activists to avoid sourcing commodities from places where forests were recently cleared.

Nestlé SA, one of the world's largest food processors, believes population growth will require human diets to adapt, reducing consumption of sugar, salt and meat products, an executive said on Wednesday.

Nestlé SA, one of the world's largest food processors, believes population growth will require human diets to adapt, reducing consumption of sugar, salt and meat products, an executive said on Wednesday. "We have 7.5 billion people and the population continues to grow, so there is a need to eat more vegetables, cereals, and less sugar, meat products," said Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President and head of operations in the Americas. Limited natural resources on the planet and the growing public health problem of obesity are behind the changes Freixe sees as necessary. He also cited growing public awareness of the food production process as well as issues such as child labour and deforestation, which is especially pertinent in Brazil. Meat production, particularly beef, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions that scientists blame for global warming. "We work constantly in the reformulation of our products," the executive told reporters ahead of an event in Sao Paulo with university students from the four countries in the Mercosur trade bloc: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is part of a career training program sponsored by the company. Freixe also said public awareness is growing around the world regarding raw materials used to produce food. This poses a challenge for every large food processor. "There is a lot more sensitivity on the matter everywhere, not only in Europe or the US We are in a connected world, people have access to information, consumers want to know where raw materials come from if they were produced ethically," he said. Nestlé is a major buyer worldwide of coffee, sugar, cocoa and milk, among other commodities. It is a significant buyer of Brazilian coffee and sugar. The company says it clearly states to suppliers that it does not buy raw materials that were produced in recently deforested areas or where child labour has been reported. "The question mark is how to make that happen? Because there are millions of farmers in so many countries," the executive said. "When there is an indication of a problem, we investigate. If confirmed, we cut the supplier," he added. Forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, jumped sharply this year, causing a wave of worldwide criticism regarding how the local government is managing the situation. Global food companies were also pressed by consumers and activists to avoid sourcing commodities from places where forests were recently cleared.

As population grows, human diet must cut down on meat, sugar, salt: Nestlé executive

World warned: Change now or endanger food and climate

A scandal involving inflated contracts for police meat rations underlines the abuse Afghan authorities are struggling to stop in logistics centres, where corrupt officials and contractors have skimmed fortunes from the government and foreign donors.

Earlier this year, investigators identified discrepancies in order forms that showed contractors were both claiming for inflated quantities of meat and billing at hugely inflated prices in a multi-million dollar scam.

The meat contract scandal, which saw 23 officials arrested along with the contractor, is only one example of abuse at logistics centres which the US&nbsp;Congressional watchdog SIGAR identified in a recent report as a major risk to the US-backed reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.

It said logistics centres were "focal points of corruption" where "ammunition, uniforms, and other commodities are easily pilfered and sold".

According to documents seen by Reuters, total overbilling on meat supplies for the year to March 2019 came to some $7.5 million due to "systematic and organised corruption" and a failure of internal controls.

In one case, in Nangarhar province, the company contracted to supply 57,413 kg of mutton for the month of October but by the time the contract was submitted to the finance ministry in Kabul for payment, the quantity had been inflated to 92,648 kg.

In another case, in Nuristan province, 23,000 kg of meat priced at 260 afghani ($3.28) per kilo was billed, but by the time the invoice reached the finance ministry, it had jumped to 92,000 kg charged at 390 afghani.

The fraudulent overbilling took place at a time when many frontline police units were complaining of not receiving adequate food supplies.

Backed by President Ashraf Ghani, with a mandate to stamp out abuse, new police chief Khoshal Sadat has promised to take on corrupt officials and contractors but no-one is expecting the change to happen overnight.

However pleased officials may be to have uncovered the meat scandal, they know that many more continue.

"Although this is an important step in identifying and cutting corruption in the ministry, this is just a grain of sand," said a senior interior ministry official.

A scandal involving inflated contracts for police meat rations underlines the abuse Afghan authorities are struggling to stop in logistics centres, where corrupt officials and contractors have skimmed fortunes from the government and foreign donors.

A scandal involving inflated contracts for police meat rations underlines the abuse Afghan authorities are struggling to stop in logistics centres, where corrupt officials and contractors have skimmed fortunes from the government and foreign donors. Earlier this year, investigators identified discrepancies in order forms that showed contractors were both claiming for inflated quantities of meat and billing at hugely inflated prices in a multi-million dollar scam. The meat contract scandal, which saw 23 officials arrested along with the contractor, is only one example of abuse at logistics centres which the US Congressional watchdog SIGAR identified in a recent report as a major risk to the US-backed reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. It said logistics centres were "focal points of corruption" where "ammunition, uniforms, and other commodities are easily pilfered and sold". According to documents seen by Reuters, total overbilling on meat supplies for the year to March 2019 came to some $7.5 million due to "systematic and organised corruption" and a failure of internal controls. In one case, in Nangarhar province, the company contracted to supply 57,413 kg of mutton for the month of October but by the time the contract was submitted to the finance ministry in Kabul for payment, the quantity had been inflated to 92,648 kg. In another case, in Nuristan province, 23,000 kg of meat priced at 260 afghani ($3.28) per kilo was billed, but by the time the invoice reached the finance ministry, it had jumped to 92,000 kg charged at 390 afghani. The fraudulent overbilling took place at a time when many frontline police units were complaining of not receiving adequate food supplies. Backed by President Ashraf Ghani, with a mandate to stamp out abuse, new police chief Khoshal Sadat has promised to take on corrupt officials and contractors but no-one is expecting the change to happen overnight. However pleased officials may be to have uncovered the meat scandal, they know that many more continue. "Although this is an important step in identifying and cutting corruption in the ministry, this is just a grain of sand," said a senior interior ministry official.

Meat supplies scam costs Afghan police budget millions

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.&nbsp;

According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands."

"Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously.&nbsp;

On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported. UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands." "Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously. On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers. (With inputs from PTI)

UP government mulls banning sale of liquor, meat in parts of Ayodhya and Mathura

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment.

As humanity grapples with tough choices to offset a rapidly heating planet, the research suggests that the Western world would need to slash its meat intake by 90 percent to avoid crippling Earth's ability to sustain an anticipated 10 billion people by 2050.&nbsp;

Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change.&nbsp;

A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature offers the most comprehensive look yet at just how bad intensive agriculture is for the planet.&nbsp;

Without a huge drawdown in the amount of meat consumed, its authors said, the food industry's already vast impact on the environment could increase by as much as 90 percent by mid-century.&nbsp;

That coupled with a sharp projected rise in global population would devastate mankind's ability to effectively feed itself -- and dash any realistic hope of curbing runaway global warming.

The scientists called for a "global shift" towards more plant-based diets, slashing food waste and improving farming practices with the aid of technology to cope with the burden.

"No single solution is enough to avoid crossing planetary boundaries," said Marco Springmann of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food and the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, who led the study.

"But when the solutions are implemented together, our research indicates that it may be possible to feed the growing population sustainably."

The stark message comes just days after the publication of a landmark UN report in which some of the world's most eminent climate scientists warned that governments must fundamentally change course in order to keep global warming under 1.5C by the end of the century.&nbsp;

Experts argue that cutting meat consumption is one obvious way that citizens can do their bit for the climate, even as world leaders are locked in discussions over what precisely should be done to rein in the effects of a warming planet.&nbsp;

Ditch the steak

Livestock farming poses a triple threat to Earth's atmosphere, as animals produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, coupled with the loss of carbon-absorbing forests that are felled to accommodate their grazing areas.&nbsp;

In addition, immense amounts of water are needed to sustain the livestock -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water.

Wednesday's report said halving the amount of food that is wasted or lost to poor management alone could reduce the environment fallout by 16 percent.&nbsp;

It pointed to better education, industry reform and improved efficiency as ways towards tackling the problem.&nbsp;

"When it comes to diets, comprehensive policy and business approaches are essential to make dietary changes towards healthy and more plant-based diets possible and attractive for a large number of people," Springmann said.

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment.

The world must drastically reduce its meat consumption in order to avoid devastating climate change, scientists said Wednesday in the most thorough study so far on how what we eat affects the environment. As humanity grapples with tough choices to offset a rapidly heating planet, the research suggests that the Western world would need to slash its meat intake by 90 percent to avoid crippling Earth's ability to sustain an anticipated 10 billion people by 2050. Food production -- which produces damaging greenhouse gases from livestock, ruins enormous swathes of forests and uses unsustainable amounts of water -- is a major contributor to climate change. A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature offers the most comprehensive look yet at just how bad intensive agriculture is for the planet. Without a huge drawdown in the amount of meat consumed, its authors said, the food industry's already vast impact on the environment could increase by as much as 90 percent by mid-century. That coupled with a sharp projected rise in global population would devastate mankind's ability to effectively feed itself -- and dash any realistic hope of curbing runaway global warming. The scientists called for a "global shift" towards more plant-based diets, slashing food waste and improving farming practices with the aid of technology to cope with the burden. "No single solution is enough to avoid crossing planetary boundaries," said Marco Springmann of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food and the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, who led the study. "But when the solutions are implemented together, our research indicates that it may be possible to feed the growing population sustainably." The stark message comes just days after the publication of a landmark UN report in which some of the world's most eminent climate scientists warned that governments must fundamentally change course in order to keep global warming under 1.5C by the end of the century. Experts argue that cutting meat consumption is one obvious way that citizens can do their bit for the climate, even as world leaders are locked in discussions over what precisely should be done to rein in the effects of a warming planet. Ditch the steak Livestock farming poses a triple threat to Earth's atmosphere, as animals produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, coupled with the loss of carbon-absorbing forests that are felled to accommodate their grazing areas. In addition, immense amounts of water are needed to sustain the livestock -- 500 grammes (a pound) of beef is estimated to require close to 7,000 litres of water. Wednesday's report said halving the amount of food that is wasted or lost to poor management alone could reduce the environment fallout by 16 percent. It pointed to better education, industry reform and improved efficiency as ways towards tackling the problem. "When it comes to diets, comprehensive policy and business approaches are essential to make dietary changes towards healthy and more plant-based diets possible and attractive for a large number of people," Springmann said.

World must slash meat consumption to save climate: Study

In a U-turn, Australia&#39;s advertising watchdog has ruled that a controversial advertisement featuring Lord Ganesha and other divinities promoting consumption of lamb meat violated the country&#39;s advertising standard code.

The advertisement was released in September by the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), triggering widespread protests from the Indian community in the country as well across the globe. 
 
Members of the Hindu community of Australia filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) at that time claiming it had hurt their religious sentiments.

The advertisement also prompted the Indian High Commission in Canberra to lodge a complaint with the Australian government asking for its removal.

Initially, the ASB found that the advertisement by the MLA was not in breach of the code.

Considering several points of submission, the board said after taking into account the Independent Reviewers finding that the board gave insufficient weight to the views of complainants in regards to the Elephant Comment, the board determined that the advertisement breached section 2.1 of the Code and upheld complaints.&quot;

According to the latest decision, the board noted &quot;Lord Ganesha was a deity that signified perfection so to criticise his appearance would be likely to be seen as ridiculing the Hindu religion and by extension some followers of that faith.&quot;

&quot;The majority of the board, therefore, considered that the Elephant comment amount to a depiction or portrayal of material which discriminated against a person on account of their Hindu religion,&quot; the ASB noted.

It further noted that the reference made in the advertisement about elephant in the room was a tongue in cheek way of referring to an unpleasant or negative issue.

It said that the board recognised that the advertiser was known for presenting laid back advertisements with edgy Australian humor.

The advertisement is no longer being broadcast. However, the MLA maintains its advertisement does not discriminate against anyone.

Reacting to the ASBs latest decision, Melbourne-based Hindu community member Karthik Arsu said, &quot;This is a great victory for the entire Hindu Community. The community got united and each and every one contributed to fighting against a giant like Meat &amp; Livestock Australia, we lost in the complaint process, but we stood together and persisted,&quot;

&quot;So happy to receive this good news, still not sure how it will transpire in getting that derogatory advertisement removed from online platforms, but the whole community is feeling ecstatic!&quot; he said.

&quot;The decision reinforces the belief that no one can denigrate a community in Australia on the basis of religion, colour or the size of the community!&quot; he added.

According to Jay Shah of Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), Australia, &quot;the advertisement was very hurtful and I am happy that ASB accepted my review plea and gave a decision in support of Hindu community.&quot;

Describing the decision as &quot;good&quot;, Hindu Council of Australia said &quot;at last a genuine complaint has been addressed though it is late resolution... It would likely to set a precedent for not to use religious icons inappropriately for any purpose.&quot;

Earlier, the ASB had dismissed complaints that the advertisement breached any code saying that Lord Ganesha was depicted positively and that the intent was to be inclusive.

Members of the Hindu community of Australia filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) at that time claiming it had hurt their religious sentiments

In a U-turn, Australia's advertising watchdog has ruled that a controversial advertisement featuring Lord Ganesha and other divinities promoting consumption of lamb meat violated the country's advertising standard code. The advertisement was released in September by the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), triggering widespread protests from the Indian community in the country as well across the globe. Members of the Hindu community of Australia filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) at that time claiming it had hurt their religious sentiments. The advertisement also prompted the Indian High Commission in Canberra to lodge a complaint with the Australian government asking for its removal. Initially, the ASB found that the advertisement by the MLA was not in breach of the code. Considering several points of submission, the board said after taking into account the Independent Reviewers finding that the board gave insufficient weight to the views of complainants in regards to the Elephant Comment, the board determined that the advertisement breached section 2.1 of the Code and upheld complaints." According to the latest decision, the board noted "Lord Ganesha was a deity that signified perfection so to criticise his appearance would be likely to be seen as ridiculing the Hindu religion and by extension some followers of that faith." "The majority of the board, therefore, considered that the Elephant comment amount to a depiction or portrayal of material which discriminated against a person on account of their Hindu religion," the ASB noted. It further noted that the reference made in the advertisement about elephant in the room was a tongue in cheek way of referring to an unpleasant or negative issue. It said that the board recognised that the advertiser was known for presenting laid back advertisements with edgy Australian humor. The advertisement is no longer being broadcast. However, the MLA maintains its advertisement does not discriminate against anyone. Reacting to the ASBs latest decision, Melbourne-based Hindu community member Karthik Arsu said, "This is a great victory for the entire Hindu Community. The community got united and each and every one contributed to fighting against a giant like Meat & Livestock Australia, we lost in the complaint process, but we stood together and persisted," "So happy to receive this good news, still not sure how it will transpire in getting that derogatory advertisement removed from online platforms, but the whole community is feeling ecstatic!" he said. "The decision reinforces the belief that no one can denigrate a community in Australia on the basis of religion, colour or the size of the community!" he added. According to Jay Shah of Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), Australia, "the advertisement was very hurtful and I am happy that ASB accepted my review plea and gave a decision in support of Hindu community." Describing the decision as "good", Hindu Council of Australia said "at last a genuine complaint has been addressed though it is late resolution... It would likely to set a precedent for not to use religious icons inappropriately for any purpose." Earlier, the ASB had dismissed complaints that the advertisement breached any code saying that Lord Ganesha was depicted positively and that the intent was to be inclusive.

Lord Ganesha ad breached Australia advertising standard code: Watchdog

This graphic addresses a simple question. Simple, but deeply political&nbsp;as claims are made about India being predominantly vegetarian in its chosen diet. Out of a total of 1,000 urban homes across the country, how many are &#39;non-vegetarian&#39; in their diet, that is, consume some kind of meat?

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How urban Uttar Pradesh eats meat (WION)
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In Uttar Pradesh, where there is a crackdown taking place on illegal slaughterhouses, 413 out of every 1,000 urban homes report eating some kind of meat once a month. Beef and buffalo meat are the most commonly eaten&nbsp;with 127 out of every 1,000 urban homes consuming them.

As per figures thrown up in the National Sample Survey <a href="http://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/nss_report_560_19dec14.pdf">report</a>, &#39;Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India: 2011-12&#39;&nbsp;released in 2014, out of every 1,000 urban homes at least 550, or more than 50 per cent, are meat-eaters. Things should not have changed drastically in the past few years.&nbsp;

Chicken finds favour with the highest number of homes with 270 out of every 1,000 saying that they have it at least once a month.

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How Urban India eats meat (WION)
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Nagaland leads the urban pack when it comes to consuming various kinds of meat, fish and poultry with 997 out of every 1,000 homes stating that they have meat at least once a month. Haryana ranks the lowest when it comes to meat consumption with only 204 out of every 1,000 urban homes, or about one in five, choosing a non-vegetarian diet.

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Which states eat the most and least meat or non-vegetarian food? (WION)
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Andhra Pradesh (before it bifurcation into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) eats the most chicken&nbsp;with half the homes reporting its consumption. Urban Rajasthan eats the least chicken&nbsp;with only 59 out of every 1,000 urban homes stating they eat it.

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Which states eat the most and least chicken? (WION)
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Tripura eats the most fish and prawn&nbsp;with 933 out of every 1,000 urban homes saying they have it at least once a month. Urban Rajasthan is at the bottom of the list&nbsp;with only four out of every 1,000 urban homes reporting its consumption.

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Which states eat the most and least fish/prawns? (WION)
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Jammu &amp; Kashmir&#39;s urban residents eat the most goat meat and mutton&nbsp;with 264 out of every urban 1,000 homes, or about one in four, declaring its consumption. Nagaland consumes the least goat meat and mutton.

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Which states eat the most and least goat meat/mutton? (WION)
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The urban inhabitants of Meghalaya have the most beef and buffalo meat&nbsp;with 380 out of every 1,000 urban homes, or about one in three, reporting they consume it. Punjab and Chattisgarh don&#39;t consume it at all, according to the survey.

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Which states eat the most and least beef/buffalo meat? (WION)
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Mizoram has the most pork &mdash; it&#39;s eaten in 718 out of every urban 1,000 homes, or about in 70 per cent homes. The urban residents of Odisha, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh do not eat any pork, according to the survey.

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Which states eat the most and least pork? (WION)
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Graphic credits: Ishu Vaid

India has a reputation for being mainly vegetarian in its diet. While this is true in some parts, others love their meat, fish and poultry

This graphic addresses a simple question. Simple, but deeply political as claims are made about India being predominantly vegetarian in its chosen diet. Out of a total of 1,000 urban homes across the country, how many are 'non-vegetarian' in their diet, that is, consume some kind of meat? How urban Uttar Pradesh eats meat (WION) × In Uttar Pradesh, where there is a crackdown taking place on illegal slaughterhouses, 413 out of every 1,000 urban homes report eating some kind of meat once a month. Beef and buffalo meat are the most commonly eaten with 127 out of every 1,000 urban homes consuming them. As per figures thrown up in the National Sample Survey report, 'Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India: 2011-12' released in 2014, out of every 1,000 urban homes at least 550, or more than 50 per cent, are meat-eaters. Things should not have changed drastically in the past few years. Chicken finds favour with the highest number of homes with 270 out of every 1,000 saying that they have it at least once a month. How Urban India eats meat (WION) × Nagaland leads the urban pack when it comes to consuming various kinds of meat, fish and poultry with 997 out of every 1,000 homes stating that they have meat at least once a month. Haryana ranks the lowest when it comes to meat consumption with only 204 out of every 1,000 urban homes, or about one in five, choosing a non-vegetarian diet. Which states eat the most and least meat or non-vegetarian food? (WION) × Andhra Pradesh (before it bifurcation into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) eats the most chicken with half the homes reporting its consumption. Urban Rajasthan eats the least chicken with only 59 out of every 1,000 urban homes stating they eat it. Which states eat the most and least chicken? (WION) × Tripura eats the most fish and prawn with 933 out of every 1,000 urban homes saying they have it at least once a month. Urban Rajasthan is at the bottom of the list with only four out of every 1,000 urban homes reporting its consumption. Which states eat the most and least fish/prawns? (WION) × Jammu & Kashmir's urban residents eat the most goat meat and mutton with 264 out of every urban 1,000 homes, or about one in four, declaring its consumption. Nagaland consumes the least goat meat and mutton. Which states eat the most and least goat meat/mutton? (WION) × The urban inhabitants of Meghalaya have the most beef and buffalo meat with 380 out of every 1,000 urban homes, or about one in three, reporting they consume it. Punjab and Chattisgarh don't consume it at all, according to the survey. Which states eat the most and least beef/buffalo meat? (WION) × Mizoram has the most pork — it's eaten in 718 out of every urban 1,000 homes, or about in 70 per cent homes. The urban residents of Odisha, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh do not eat any pork, according to the survey. Which states eat the most and least pork? (WION) × Graphic credits: Ishu Vaid

Busting 'meaty' myths: How urban India eats

A group of students from IIT-Madras are protesting against the attack on a PhD scholar for organising the &#39;beef fest&#39;.&nbsp;

The students demanded that Manish Kumar Singh, a postgraduate student, and his friends who allegedly attacked R Sooraj, a research scholar at IIT-Madras, be rusticated immediately, the Times of India reported.

Nine students have been charged for allegedly beating up Sooraj&nbsp;for organising a &#39;Beef Fest&#39; in the campus.

The charges under which the accused have been booked are: IPC 147- Punishment for rioting, 341-Punishment for wrongful restraint, 323- Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt and 506(1)- criminal intimidation.

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Condemn the attack on Suraj, Malayali PhD scholar of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iitmadras?src=hash">#iitmadras</a> for attending <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beeffest?src=hash">#beeffest</a>. Will request CM of TN to take necessary actions.
&mdash; CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOKerala/status/869592003717156864">May 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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However, the victim R&nbsp;Sooraj has also been booked under two Sections - IPC 324 - Voluntarily causing hurt, 341-wrongful restraints, according to accused Manish Kumar&#39;s complaint.

Yesterday, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on the students and requested his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K. Palaniswami to take necessary action.

Sooraj was beaten up for conducting &#39; Beef Fest&#39; in IIT. He has been seriously injured in his right eye.

A group of 70 to 80 students held the beef festival on Sunday evening to demonstrate against the Centre&#39;s notification.

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Chennai:Revolutionary Students&amp;Youth Front protests agnst cattle slaughter ban&amp;attack on a IIT-Madras PhD scholar for organising &#39;Beef Fest&#39; <a href="https://t.co/5YGQALPSvI">pic.twitter.com/5YGQALPSvI</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/869790360964284416">May 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this week, expressing strong disapproval of the Centre&#39;s move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by attacking the BJP-led government at the centre and the RSS, saying there was no need for the people of his state to draw lessons from New Delhi or Nagpur on their food habits.

(ANI)

A group of students are protesting the attack on a PhD scholar for organising the 'beef fest'

A group of students from IIT-Madras are protesting against the attack on a PhD scholar for organising the 'beef fest'. The students demanded that Manish Kumar Singh, a postgraduate student, and his friends who allegedly attacked R Sooraj, a research scholar at IIT-Madras, be rusticated immediately, the Times of India reported. Nine students have been charged for allegedly beating up Sooraj for organising a 'Beef Fest' in the campus. The charges under which the accused have been booked are: IPC 147- Punishment for rioting, 341-Punishment for wrongful restraint, 323- Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt and 506(1)- criminal intimidation. Condemn the attack on Suraj, Malayali PhD scholar of #iitmadras for attending #beeffest. Will request CM of TN to take necessary actions. — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) May 30, 2017 × However, the victim R Sooraj has also been booked under two Sections - IPC 324 - Voluntarily causing hurt, 341-wrongful restraints, according to accused Manish Kumar's complaint. Yesterday, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on the students and requested his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K. Palaniswami to take necessary action. Sooraj was beaten up for conducting ' Beef Fest' in IIT. He has been seriously injured in his right eye. A group of 70 to 80 students held the beef festival on Sunday evening to demonstrate against the Centre's notification. Chennai:Revolutionary Students&Youth Front protests agnst cattle slaughter ban&attack on a IIT-Madras PhD scholar for organising 'Beef Fest' pic.twitter.com/5YGQALPSvI — ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017 × Earlier this week, expressing strong disapproval of the Centre's move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by attacking the BJP-led government at the centre and the RSS, saying there was no need for the people of his state to draw lessons from New Delhi or Nagpur on their food habits. (ANI)

IIT-Madras students protest attack over 'beef fest'

Two decades after Scotland&#39;s Dolly, the sheep, became the first cloned mammal, consumers may well wonder whether they are drinking milk or eating meat from cookie-cutter cows or their offspring. 
 
The simple answer: &quot;probably&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
The fact is, there is no way to know for sure, say experts, even in Europe, which has come closer to banning livestock cloning than anywhere else in the world. 
 
With the possible exception of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in the Bible, Dolly must be the world&#39;s most famous sheep.&nbsp;The ewe&#39;s birth in an Edinburgh laboratory on July 5, 1996 was front-page news, provoking hype and hand-wringing in equal parts.&nbsp; 
 
For the most part, cloning turned out to be a dead end. 
 
But there is one sector in which Dolly&#39;s legacy is alive and well: the duplication of prize breeding animals. 
 
How aggressively the private sector has developed this niche market has depended in a large part on national or regional regulations, with key differences between the United States, China and the European Union.&quot;The most dramatic impact of the cloning of Dolly has been on animal cloning in the United States,&quot; said Aaron Levine, an expert in bioethics and cloning at Georgia Tech. 
 
In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration concluded that &quot;food from cattle, swine and goat clones is as safe to eat as food from any other cattle, swine or goat&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Cloned animals are not intended to enter food supply directly&#39; 
 
Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal, the regulatory agency said. 
 
There are no requirements to label meat or milk from a cloned animal or its offspring, whether sold domestically or abroad. 
 
For the industry, the aim was never to set up assembly-line production -- cloning is difficult and expensive at more than 10,000 Euros ($11,000) a pop, and the success rate low, with few clones surviving to birth. 
 
So the focus, instead, is on copying genetically outstanding specimens so they may naturally sire exceptional progeny. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s fairly widespread in US to use cloning to produce breeding stock,&quot; said Levine. &quot;Cloned animals are not intended to enter the food supply directly.&quot; 
 
&quot;I suspect some may have,&quot; he added. 
 
US companies typically produce hundreds or few thousand clones per year&nbsp; 
 
Among the leaders in commercial livestock cloning in the US are Cyagra, based in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and ViaGen, in Austin, Texas. 
 
At least one company, ViaGen, also provides services for copying cherished cats and dogs. US companies typically produce hundreds or a few thousand clones per year. 
 
The Boyalife Group&#39;s cloning new factory near the northern coastal city of Tianjin in China, however, is aiming for an annual output of 100,000 cows this year, scaling up to a million by 2020. 
 
Also in the pipeline are thoroughbred racehorses, pets and police dogs specialised in searching and sniffing. 
 
Boyalife has said it is working with South Korean partner Sooam and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to improve primate cloning technology, to create better test animals for human disease research. 
 
And in December, Boyalife&#39;s lead scientist and chief executive Xu Xiaochun, said he would not shy away from cloning humans if regulations allowed it. Faced with strong public opinion against cloning of any kind, the European Union does not allow the practice in animal husbandry. 
 
But officials acknowledge that meat or milk derived from cows with a cloned ancestor may very well have made its way into the market, whether directly imported, obtained from a live imported animal, or one bred domestically from genetic material brought into the EU. 
 
&quot;Without knowing it, Europeans are probably eating meat from the descendents of clones that cannot be traced,&quot; said Pauline Constant, spokeswoman for the European Office of consumer associations, based in Brussels. 
 
Officials say they are not concerned about any impact on human health. 
 
In September, the European Parliament called, by a large majority, not only for a ban on cloned animals, but also on products derived from them.&nbsp; 
 
The final decision rests with the European Commission, which has taken a less hard-line position.&nbsp; 
 
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia are among the other countries which clone livestock. 
 
(AFP)

'Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal'

Two decades after Scotland's Dolly, the sheep, became the first cloned mammal, consumers may well wonder whether they are drinking milk or eating meat from cookie-cutter cows or their offspring. The simple answer: "probably". The fact is, there is no way to know for sure, say experts, even in Europe, which has come closer to banning livestock cloning than anywhere else in the world. With the possible exception of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in the Bible, Dolly must be the world's most famous sheep. The ewe's birth in an Edinburgh laboratory on July 5, 1996 was front-page news, provoking hype and hand-wringing in equal parts. For the most part, cloning turned out to be a dead end. But there is one sector in which Dolly's legacy is alive and well: the duplication of prize breeding animals. How aggressively the private sector has developed this niche market has depended in a large part on national or regional regulations, with key differences between the United States, China and the European Union."The most dramatic impact of the cloning of Dolly has been on animal cloning in the United States," said Aaron Levine, an expert in bioethics and cloning at Georgia Tech. In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration concluded that "food from cattle, swine and goat clones is as safe to eat as food from any other cattle, swine or goat". 'Cloned animals are not intended to enter food supply directly' Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal, the regulatory agency said. There are no requirements to label meat or milk from a cloned animal or its offspring, whether sold domestically or abroad. For the industry, the aim was never to set up assembly-line production -- cloning is difficult and expensive at more than 10,000 Euros ($11,000) a pop, and the success rate low, with few clones surviving to birth. So the focus, instead, is on copying genetically outstanding specimens so they may naturally sire exceptional progeny. "It's fairly widespread in US to use cloning to produce breeding stock," said Levine. "Cloned animals are not intended to enter the food supply directly." "I suspect some may have," he added. US companies typically produce hundreds or few thousand clones per year Among the leaders in commercial livestock cloning in the US are Cyagra, based in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and ViaGen, in Austin, Texas. At least one company, ViaGen, also provides services for copying cherished cats and dogs. US companies typically produce hundreds or a few thousand clones per year. The Boyalife Group's cloning new factory near the northern coastal city of Tianjin in China, however, is aiming for an annual output of 100,000 cows this year, scaling up to a million by 2020. Also in the pipeline are thoroughbred racehorses, pets and police dogs specialised in searching and sniffing. Boyalife has said it is working with South Korean partner Sooam and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to improve primate cloning technology, to create better test animals for human disease research. And in December, Boyalife's lead scientist and chief executive Xu Xiaochun, said he would not shy away from cloning humans if regulations allowed it. Faced with strong public opinion against cloning of any kind, the European Union does not allow the practice in animal husbandry. But officials acknowledge that meat or milk derived from cows with a cloned ancestor may very well have made its way into the market, whether directly imported, obtained from a live imported animal, or one bred domestically from genetic material brought into the EU. "Without knowing it, Europeans are probably eating meat from the descendents of clones that cannot be traced," said Pauline Constant, spokeswoman for the European Office of consumer associations, based in Brussels. Officials say they are not concerned about any impact on human health. In September, the European Parliament called, by a large majority, not only for a ban on cloned animals, but also on products derived from them. The final decision rests with the European Commission, which has taken a less hard-line position. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia are among the other countries which clone livestock. (AFP)

The Dolly legacy: Are you eating cloned meat?

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