Latest update: 27/09/2011

- agriculture - Argentina - environment - gastronomy - Netherlands

Eco-friendly alternatives to eating meat

In this week's show, we take a look at what some say is the food of the future. Meats traditionally eaten in the West, such as beef and pork, are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. More farmland is needed to rear the number of cows and pigs required to provide enough meat for all of us, but it's in finite supply. And cow farming isn't good for the environment. So what are the alternatives?

ENVIRONMENT

By Kate WILLIAMS / Mairead DUNDAS / Marina BERTSCH

First up, animal rights campaigners have been cheered by the work going on in a Dutch laboratory. Scientists are "growing" cultivated meat in test tubes, which could eventually lead to fewer animals being sent to slaughter.

We also look at how future generations could get their protein by adding insects to their diet.

Finally, can the world's most carnivorous nation, Argentina, be weaned off its meat by the humble soya bean?

Mairead Dundas

Presenter

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Comments (3)

Protein conversion

by Anonyme - 22/10/2011 - 16:32

Cattle convert the most renewable resource, grass and crop aftermath into protein. If grass burns or rots it creates pollutants. Cows are organic, energy efficient lawnmowers that will starve behind a three wire fence. They are a tool as much as any other. It is far worse to have the grass burn and create smoke, sterilize the soil and cause greater environmental damage. Worse yet in the US the government land managers get extra pay and an 18% surcharge for letting the fires burn. That is the travesty. It always comes back to balance and management. Faddist ideas are causing all of us to become isolated from the land and the means to feed ourselves. It is a fatal fiction that is being perpetrated by governments to control every aspect of our lives and defies common sense and science.

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Meat .

by Anonyme - 28/09/2011 - 18:51

Love it,but could not have the heart to kill anything,as my daughter has said I would probably die if I had to do any killing of animals to survive.When I was being educated in India ,I read about the religious people who had Janism as it philosopy,They believed everything has life,and its right to life.I fully believe this,and it is the best,next to christain teachings.

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protein from human excrement?

by Anonyme - 28/09/2011 - 14:15

if she was trying to scare people this was perfect!
protein from human feces?
i am sure there are much better ways to be veggetarian,lol

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