BQI Beacon: Issue #6

Issue 6 covers these topics: 1) Context is key to changing global livestock systems. 2) BRICS government support of big meat “national champion” firms. 3) New database of fishmeal and fish oil factories in 63 countries. 4) Structural developments supported industrial animal agriculture in China. 5) All parts of industrial poultry system contribute to avian flu epidemics. 6) Public development banks’ role in Vietnam’s animal farming. 7) Resisting beekeeping industrialization with insights from Mexico.

Academic works featured and their key messages

1. 1. Kazanski, Clare E., et al. “Context is key to understand and improve livestock production systems.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: To change livestock systems and practices one needs to factor in their economic, environmental and social contexts as well as priorities that motivate how livestock are managed.

2. Sievert, Katherine, et al. “‘National champions’ in global meat supply chains: Implications for governance and corporate power in food systems.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: National governments in BRICS countries support big meat processing firms, but shareholders benefit while consumers and the global food system suffer grave consequences.

3. Shea, Lauren A., et al. “Spatial distribution of fishmeal and fish oil factories around the globe.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: A new database identifies 506 fishmeal and fish oil factories in 63 countries. The factories are owned/operated by 413 companies, and Peru has the largest number.

4. Su, Tiantian, and Cuixia Li. “Spatial-temporal characteristics and influence factors of high-quality development of animal husbandry industry in China.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: Structural factors, not just GDP growth, account for China’s shift toward industrial animal agriculture in recent years.

5. Aguilar‐Støen, Mariel, et al. “Dangerous liaisons: Unveiling the co‐constitution of emerging infectious diseases and industrial meat production.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: By narrowly focusing on the geographic locations of avian flu cases, we miss how the whole industrial poultry system shapes disease outbreaks.

6. Cook, Brian. “Finance and farming: Understanding development finance and industrial animal agriculture in Vietnam.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: Public development banks play a serious role in financing industrial animal agriculture in Vietnam, but can also be a force for good.

7. Shanahan, Maggie. “Building resilient beekeeping systems: Actionable insights from Chiapas, Mexico.”

   KEY TAKEAWAY: Resisting industrialization of beekeeping requires both resilient practices and system-wide strategies as illustrated in Chiapas, Mexico.

Brief mention (non-academic reports)

1. FAO. “FAO Investment Centre — Annual review.”
2. OECD / FAO. “OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034.”