The true cost of eating meat: if we want change, we have to pay for it

Australians can afford to spend more on food that meets higher animal welfare standards. It's time to demand change from farmersIt's easy to argue that the intensification of animal farming puts food on the average Aussie battler's table at a price they can afford. By suggesting we eat less meat, or better-quality meat, it's easy to be accused of favouring the rich: perhaps only they can afford the grass-fed, organic, free-range alternative?So let's take a look at the numbers. The average Australian spends about 14% of their income on food - down from about 19% of income 30 years ago. According to government statistics, total annual expenditure on meat and seafood was only $650 per person in 2015-16 compared with $734 in 1988-89, allowing for inflation (the data for seafood and meat were compiled into one number, unfortunately). We spend less on meat than we used to, and buy more of it. So now, according to the most recent numbers available, each week households spend an average of $13.70 on vegetables and $9.60 on fresh fruit. Compare that to the $40 or more we spend each week on takeaways, fast food and confectionery. Or the 31% of our food budget we spend eating out, a 50% increase on three decades prior. Or the $13 we spend, on average, per household, per week, on our pets. Continue reading...