University researchers are helping meat producers improve their public image through funded research.
Grace van Deelen reports for Vox.
In short:
- The National Pork Board funds the Real Pork Trust Consortium to counter negative perceptions of the pork industry.
- Historically, land-grant universities have partnered with the agriculture industry to boost productivity, now focusing on addressing environmental impacts while maintaining industry growth.
- Critics argue these partnerships prioritize industry profits over public and environmental health.
Key quote:
"It's sort of like increasing public trust in coal mining-based energy production, lead-based paint manufacturing, leaded fuel-dependent transportation, asbestos-dependent construction methods, or DDT-based pest control."
— Crystal Heath, veterinarian and founder of animal advocacy nonprofit Our Honor
Why this matters:
Industry-funded research at universities can bias scientific inquiries toward profit-driven goals, potentially compromising public and environmental health. While research can lead to improvements in livestock farming practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving animal welfare, and ensuring safer food products, critics argue that industry-funded research might downplay the negative impacts of meat production and promote findings that favor the sponsors.
