Beef in Latin America

1. Beef in Latin America Wen Feng Cedric Fotso VladGantvarg Julia Gonzo Ivana Guzman Vicky Guan

2. Overview • Primary countries in which the commodity is produced • Labor conditions under which the commodity is produced • Environmental consequences of the production process • Effects of the production process on people in relevant regions • Health effects associated with the consumption of the product

3. Primary countries in which the commodity is produced

4. BRAZIL • Brazil officially called the Federative Republic of Brazil • It is the largest country in South America and in the Latin America Latin region.

5. Commodity Chain For Latin Beef (Brazil) • Second largest beef productivity countries in the world • Beef production increasing graph

6. The Process for the Beef Chain • Before farming • Preparing food, place, and amount of cattle Farming Feeding cattle, paying for the labors Industry having contract with the cattle farm, and provide all material

7. 2. Slaughterhouse Kill floor Fabrication floor packing 3. Distribution trading, retailers, food industry, and other food companies

8. Labor conditions under which the commodity is produced

9. The forests are extremely dense with vegetation and farm owners cannot afford to use traditional labor • They must employ high numbers of workers to feed and take care of the animals (Damiani, O., 2003) • “Slave Labors” • They primarily target the poor as well as young people looking to help support their families. • Debt Bondage • Travel expenses, food and housing fees are deducted from their wage and at the end, most workers receive very little or no money at all.

10. Employees uses dangerous, sharp tools and automated machines in high speed and crowed environments. • “Shackle and hoist” method • The technique relies on little technology but a comparatively large number of laborers to restrain the cattle • http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Lq2kMDE-LyI

11. Quality of Life • Physical danger • Long hours, chronic pains • Emotional distress • Repetitive stress • The fear of demotion or termination • Must meet quota • Subjugated to speak up or organize • Oppression

12. Our Responsibility • Gain first-hand knowledge of the practices • Stricter controls by government • Find labor cruelty free meat products (Trader Joe’s, local farms) • Alifestyle free from meat products

13. Environmental consequences of the production process

14. Types of Farmers • Traditional • Newer

15. The Hamburger Connection • Norman Myers

16. Deforestation • Cleared land • Inexpensive land • Production to feed cattle

17. Deforestation

18. Water Depletion • 2,500 gallons compared to 22 gallons • Quality in surrounding areas

19. Packaging • Styrofoam • Plastic • Contamination

20. The Global Environment is at Risk • Global Warming    • Carbon dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere as a result of deforestation(cutting and burning down forests)  Nitrous Oxide gas is released as a result of petrochemical fertilizers used to produce feed crops cattle • Methane gas is released from cattle's stomach and manure.

22. The Global Environment is at Risk • Land Clearing • Increases desertification of planet • Natural species needed for the tropical rainforest ecosystem are being destroyed           • Lost of biodiversity • Increases erosion and  sedimentation of waterways

23. Effects of the production process on people in relevant regions

24. Regions • Argentina • Brazil • Chile • Uruguay • Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela

25. Effects • In Brazil, the agricultural sector employs around 30 million people • Rising food prices cause consumers to choose cheaper cuts of meat • Price of beef increased 20% • Spending large portion of income on food

26. EFFECTS • Cattle ranching requires large tracts of land • Brazil ranchers clear-cut tropical forests to provide pasture land for their herds • contributes to global warming in two ways. • First, when ranchers cut down trees, much of the carbon they store goes into the atmosphere • Second, grazing cattle produce methane—a powerful gas that has 23 times the warming effect of carbon—which is released from their stomachs and manure • Tropical deforestation is responsible for about 15 percent of the world’s heat-trapping emissions—more carbon pollution than the emissions from every car, truck, plane, ship and train on Earth. • As demand for beef goes up, so too does deforestation.

27. Health effects of beef consumption

28. Health Effects of Beef Consumption • Negative Health Effects of Beef Consumption • Beef is high in cholesterol • Lower quality cuts contain higher concentrations • Saturated Fat • 3.5 oz serving contains 5-10 grams of saturated fat. T-Bone vs. Sirloin Tip

29. Health Effects of Beef Consumption • Positive Health Effects of Beef • Animal Protein • Protein needed for rebuilding muscle • Some Early Hunters Ate Beef • Early Civilizations Gathered as Well Hunters vs. Gatherers

30. Reaping Beef’s Benefits • Reaping Beef's Benefits • Eat Smaller Portions (3oz) • Eat Higher Quality • Eat Beef on Special Occasions 3.5 oz Portion

31. THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS?