We need to eat less meat – and the G8 should say so

Instead of feeding starving humans, we funnel huge amounts of crops through the animals we use for food. G8 leaders must call for change at next week's summit.

By Kerry McCarthy

In Davos this April, David Cameron outlined his priorities for the UK’s presidency of the G8 this year. He talked about advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency, all with the goal of creating “lasting global prosperity”. It’s a noble goal – lifting people out of poverty and making corporations accountable for their actions. It’s reassuring to see these issues receive international attention.

But there is one obvious issue that is not being talked about, which should be at the top of the G8 agenda: animal agriculture and its contribution to world hunger, environmental degradation and skyrocketing healthcare costs, all of which affect the global economy.