Meat, Meat eating and Vegetarianism: A Review of the Facts
MAF Policy Technical Paper 97/16
October 1997
ISSN 1171-4662
ISBN 0-478-07467-0
By: Professor Neville G Gregory
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information herein is accurate, MAF does not accept liability for error or fact or opinion which maybe present, nor for the consequences of any financial decision based on this information.
Any views or opinions expressed do not represent the official view of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Printing of material from this report is welcomed (except for commercial use or on advertising or promotional material), provided proper acknowledgement is made to the source.
For additional information
Comments and enquiries concerning the contents of this document can either be directed to:
Science Policy
MAF Policy
P O Box 2526
WELLINGTON
or
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Massey University
Private Bag 1222
PALMERSTON NORTH
Requests for further copies should be directed to:
Manager
MAF Information Bureau
P O Box 2526
WELLINGTON
Telephone: (04) 894 0100
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Foreword
New Zealand has traditionally been highly reliant on the export of meat and meat based products and, although declining in relative importance, they constituted over 13% of total export, by value, in 1996. One reason for the downward trend in meat exports is that there is a trend towards vegetarianism and semivegetarianism, in their various forms, in our major export markets.
In this study Professor Gregory examines the images of meat, the attitudes of consumers to meat, and considers the key features which may lead to reduced meat eating. The attitudes and beliefs of the various types of vegetarian are also studied in detail. Clearly, gaining a better appreciation of the relative importance of various factors affecting potential customer choice is important to all of those involved in the meat production and processing sectors. It is also of general interest as we are all subjected daily to ideas and positions which challenge our beliefs and can alter our food buying patterns.
This Technical Paper is being made widely available in order to promote informed discussion on the factors affecting meat consumption and is not a critique of vegetarianism.
Peter Kettle
Director, Science and Resources Policy
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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