Mia MacDonald Quoted in China Dialogue Article on Smithfield Acquisition

Mia MacDonald is quoted in Tom Levitt‘s article in China Dialogue, “China Seeks Safety in US Meat Giant Smithfield“.

Here is an excerpt of her quotes:

“The US system of farming is seen as safe and progressive, but it isn’t. They have a lot of issues with overcrowding and antibiotic use,” says Mia MacDonald, executive director of the think tank Brighter Green.

“It’s not a surprising deal,” she adds, “as there has been Chinese investment in Smithfield before, but the scale is a signal of future trends. It further embeds this model of producing food without due care to the animal, environmental and water impacts.”

Shuanghui has openly stated it wants to copy the Smithfield “vertical farming model”, but MacDonald says the Chinese public should remain sceptical that intensive farming practices will bring safer and healthier food.

To read the full article (in English or Chinese), click here.