An agricultural approach to the new health policy

Abstract

Abstract: Two recent British medical reports on health policy (National Advisory Committee on Nutrition Education (NACNE); Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA)) have associated human coronary heart disease with excessive fat (especially, saturated fat) intakes. The potential impact of these reports on reducing fat content of products in the meat and dairy production industries is discussed. It is concluded that the short-term NACNE recommendations could be met by altering the slaughter weight of livestock, requiring a change in the application of current subsidies. However, there appears to be little opportunity to reduce the consumption of butterfat from the dairy industry.(wz)