Consumers are usually not told which breed of chicken, cattle or swine have produced the eggs, milk and meat offered in the supermarkets or the butchery shops. They should get interested, since they are contributing to the development of a global genetic monoculture. Meat processing factories and factory farms want uniform animals. Hardly noticed by the public, a concentration process is taking place not only in livestock production and processing, but also in the livestock breeding industry. The industry has not only dramatically revamped itself by developing new technologies and forming new companies but also changed its name, from “breeding industry” or “artificial insemination companies” to “livestock genetics”. With patents on animals and other appropriation strategies, the livestock genetics companies are increasing their power, acting as if consumers all over the world want ever larger quantities of ever cheaper meat, milk and eggs without caring for environmental, social and cultural impact.
Concentration and Proprietory Strategies of an emerging power in the global food economy.
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