Grassland Production and Trade Issues the Role of Grasslands in the World Food Trade

The paper begins with an analysis of trends and developments in global food consumption and dietary change, emphasizing consumption of those products derived from grasslands farming. This highlights the rapid growth in consumption of meats and dairy products, especially in the developing world. The paper next examines major producing regions for meats and dairy products, and their role in meeting global demand growth through exports activities. The role played by grasslands relative to grain-based production is highlighted. Especially in the developed world, products derived from grasslands are amongst the most highly protected agricultural products, and considerable trade distortions result. Based on such data, a global model of international trade is used to draw attention to some consequences of reducing the level of protection of meat and dairy production, and to indicate the extent to which trade barriers constrain the development of pasture-based livestock production. The paper concludes with discussion of the role of grasslands agriculture in supporting sustainable livestock production and relieving the global grains situation. This paper is not available in full text