Nature Food

Bryant, C., Aiking, H., Alessandrini, R. et al. The Dublin Declaration fails to recognize the need to reduce industrial animal agriculture. Nat Food (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01054-2

The framework presented in the Dublin Declaration has generated controversy by advocating for maintaining or increasing livestock numbers. The serious and acute harms associated with global livestock production today bring the goals of the declaration into dispute.

A large base of scientific evidence shows that a substantial reduction in livestock production and total global livestock numbers would benefit human and planetary health. Yet, the ‘Dublin Declaration of Scientists on the Societal Role of Livestock’ asserts that “[Livestock] systems must continue to be embedded in and have broad approval of society” and argues that global livestock production should be maintained or increased¹. Here, we highlight that the Dublin Declaration overgeneralizes evidence that applies to only a small fraction of global livestock and fails to adequately acknowledge the serious and acute harms associated with livestock production and consumption at current levels, particularly in high-income regions.