The Beef Industry: The Social Costs from an Ecological, Economic, and Social Perspective

Beef products are a staple of western diets and are quickly becoming normalized in more parts of the world. Americans from 1910 to present day have consumed an average of 60 pounds of beef each year, with total beef consumption annually over 27 billion pounds (Beef, 2005). Red meat is a tempestuous topic of discussion. Red meat is a product that has nutritional benefits, is a symbol of status, and has a favored taste for many of its consumers. It can also be said that red meat is associated with health issues, animal cruelty, and environmental sustainability concerns. Jochimsen said that “[e]conomies confronted with the ecological and social crisis would have to attribute a higher value to their own sources of maintenance, care and supply,” (Jochimsen, 1997). Therefore, we must determine what the total impact of the beef industry is, and if we must make major adjustments. A holistic examination of the beef industry is required to appropriately discuss the issues within the industry. This paper will discuss the industry and its social costs from an ecological, economic, and social perspective