LAST 10 YEARS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR MEAT

摘要

MEAT CONSUMPTION has recovered from the difficulties of the (ate 1980s and early 90s, negative attitudes to red meat are reducing, there are some short-term threats to the industry from parts of the Government's agenda, and major impact on the industry wilt continue to arise from lifestyle and demographic trends. These were the core themes in a presentation by the MLCs Consumer Affairs Director Richard Lowe to delegates. Despite a host of problems, including BSE and foot and mouth disease, there hasbeen a vibrant market for meat during the last 10 years.' The last decade has seen total red meat and poultry consumption increase by some 15 percent from 3,9 million tonnes in 1995 to nearly 4.5 million tonnes last year: Poultry consumption had grown by19 per cent For red meat, the growth areas have been beef- consumption has increased from a low of about 750,000 tonnes during the 1996 BSE crisis to just over a million tonnes last year - and pork, which has shown robust growth - up from 691,000 tonnes in 1995 to 825,000 tonnes last yean Consumption of sheepmeat'has been limited.rhuch more to production levels. Bacon consumption has been steady with no great fluctuations either way.