Matrix

Factory farming is a major example of a global problem involving animals. Moreover, factory farming is recognized as an increasing worldwide issue for the global health of humans, animals and the environment. An appropriate UN policy would be able to cope with such an urgent issue on the basis of the instruments already in place - against climate change (UNFCCC), biodiversity loss (CBD)- and its relevant organizations (FAO and WHO)*, and develop other more specific and adapted answers.

In order to provide incentives to dissuade consumers to buy the most adverse products, proportional taxes can be applied. For example, carbon taxes can be directly applied to food products. In this case, taxes on animal products (meat, milk etc.) from factory farms coming from far away would be the most highly taxed. Vegetable products from organic farms close to the selling point would hardly be taxed at all.

On the contrary, vegan and healthy products would receive some positive incentives (such as public and international subsidies) to allow them to be developed, promoted and more widely produced around the world. This would be an alternative to animal products, but also a solution to the global problem of intensified animal farming for an exponential human population and demand for animal products. New plant proteins already provide more healthy, ethical and ecological substitutes to animal products.

* Acronyms:
- UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity
- FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- WHO: World Health Organization

References:
- Book: Geoff Russell & al, Meat the Truth, Essays on Livestock Production, Sustainability and Climate Change, Paperback, 2008
- Article: M. Park & P. Singer, "Globalization of Animal Welfare: More Food Does Not Require More Suffering", Foreign Affairs, Vol. 91, Issue 2012, at 122-133
- Article: Alex Kirby, "Hungry world 'must eat less meat' ", BBC News Online environment, 16 August, 2004
- Article: Stefan Wirsenius, Fredrik Hedenus, Kristina Mohlin. Greenhouse gas taxes on animal food products: rationale, tax scheme and climate mitigation effects. Climatic Change, 2010. See "Climate tax on meat and milk results in less greenhouse gases", University of Gothenburg, 2011