A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study
Food systems face growing challenges to meet targets of Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and South Africa is no exception given its triple burden of malnutrition, foodborne disease outbreaks, and threats of climate change to food production. Broiler meat is South Africa's most affordable meat option, suppo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.650469/full |
| _version_ | 1818859235475193856 |
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| author | Kevin Queenan Soledad Cuevas Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Rob Slotow Barbara Häsler Barbara Häsler |
| author_facet | Kevin Queenan Soledad Cuevas Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Rob Slotow Barbara Häsler Barbara Häsler |
| author_sort | Kevin Queenan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Food systems face growing challenges to meet targets of Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and South Africa is no exception given its triple burden of malnutrition, foodborne disease outbreaks, and threats of climate change to food production. Broiler meat is South Africa's most affordable meat option, supporting household food and nutrition security. Although considered healthier and less environmentally harmful than ruminant meat, it is not without food safety risks and environmental impacts. This research aimed to present the foremost commercial broiler system narratives in South Africa, around targets of SDG 2, and to discuss key considerations for policymakers. Twenty-nine key informants and stakeholders, purposively selected to cover a wide range of opinions, participated in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts underwent a qualitative framework analysis. Results showed a highly efficient system, dominated by a small number of interlinked large-scale actors, vulnerable to competition from cheaper imports, yet pressurized to maintain high food safety and environmental impact standards, with a price-sensitive consumer base. Existing policies lack integration and enforcement capacity, and are undermined by siloed government departments, and mistrust and power struggles between public and private sectors. We propose removal of silo walls, and trust building through participatory policy development, with collaborative and transformative public-private partnerships that are designed to build capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:08:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5ce729d1362f4db3a488e372aa27ddbd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:08:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-5ce729d1362f4db3a488e372aa27ddbd2022-12-21T20:28:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2021-05-01510.3389/fsufs.2021.650469650469A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case StudyKevin Queenan0Soledad Cuevas1Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi2Michael Chimonyo3Rob Slotow4Rob Slotow5Barbara Häsler6Barbara Häsler7Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health (VEEPH) Research Centre, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, United KingdomCentre for Development, Environment and Policy, SOAS, London, United KingdomCentre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaSchool of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaDepartment of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health (VEEPH) Research Centre, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, United KingdomLeverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, United KingdomFood systems face growing challenges to meet targets of Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and South Africa is no exception given its triple burden of malnutrition, foodborne disease outbreaks, and threats of climate change to food production. Broiler meat is South Africa's most affordable meat option, supporting household food and nutrition security. Although considered healthier and less environmentally harmful than ruminant meat, it is not without food safety risks and environmental impacts. This research aimed to present the foremost commercial broiler system narratives in South Africa, around targets of SDG 2, and to discuss key considerations for policymakers. Twenty-nine key informants and stakeholders, purposively selected to cover a wide range of opinions, participated in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts underwent a qualitative framework analysis. Results showed a highly efficient system, dominated by a small number of interlinked large-scale actors, vulnerable to competition from cheaper imports, yet pressurized to maintain high food safety and environmental impact standards, with a price-sensitive consumer base. Existing policies lack integration and enforcement capacity, and are undermined by siloed government departments, and mistrust and power struggles between public and private sectors. We propose removal of silo walls, and trust building through participatory policy development, with collaborative and transformative public-private partnerships that are designed to build capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.650469/fullfood systemfood safetysustainabilitybroilersSouth AfricaZero Hunger (SDG 2) |
| spellingShingle | Kevin Queenan Soledad Cuevas Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Michael Chimonyo Rob Slotow Rob Slotow Barbara Häsler Barbara Häsler A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems food system food safety sustainability broilers South Africa Zero Hunger (SDG 2) |
| title | A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study |
| title_full | A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study |
| title_fullStr | A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study |
| title_short | A Qualitative Analysis of the Commercial Broiler System, and the Links to Consumers' Nutrition and Health, and to Environmental Sustainability: A South African Case Study |
| title_sort | qualitative analysis of the commercial broiler system and the links to consumers nutrition and health and to environmental sustainability a south african case study |
| topic | food system food safety sustainability broilers South Africa Zero Hunger (SDG 2) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.650469/full |
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