IMPORTED FOOD GRAINS RISK!

Stella Starr, Pet Perspectives

When you pick up a loaf of bread or wheat-based dog food, think about this economic-political factor that is so contradictory to human and animal health!

The United States exports over half of the more than 50 million tons of wheat we produce. Now think about the price you pay for grain-laden dog food and your ruff will go up. Like my cats, your dog is a carnivore, a meat eater. He isn’t a grain-eating chicken or goat! What you are about to learn may make you snarl as you shop the cereal section or pet foods aisle in your grocery store.

We import over 10% of our rice from India, Thailand, and Pakistan. Sure, we can grow it here but American land is expensive and rice paddies take a lot of acreage. As an aside, most of India's rice exports go to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and other arid countries.

Here’s the point. We would be last on the list were there to be a conflict… The May 2021 farmers strike In India began as a result of their parliament passing the Agricultural Act (similar to what we would call Farm bills here). It was a big deal, prompting protest demonstrations all along the Delhi border. Prices went up, even on rice!

Grains are of course, genetically “foreign” to carnivores but most dog owners know to use rice when a dog has diarrhea. Rice is easy on the tummy while providing energy and gentle bulk for the digestive tract. Be it noted however that wheat and other “gassy-grassy” plants ONLY get in a carnivore’s stomach through eating the stomach contents of its prey. The vegetation exception is when carnivores nibble on carefully chosen green grasses or herbs - something to which domestic dogs rarely have access…

Back to the dependency point. Most of our food products and pharmaceuticals(!) come from China with negligible amounts from Mexico and Canada. Not a big deal at this time but think how dependent we are on other countries for the medicines we require and the “processed” foods we and our pets consume every day.

A recent example of our dependency was when the cargo ship went aground in the Suez Canal in March 2021. It set off a rash of panic buying as it blocked other ships carrying food, fuel and medicines.

Prices went up as other ships were forced to divert south around Africa. Haven’t you noticed that the panic buying price hikes remain in effect on many imported goods…?

But even without worrisome “headlines” American Pet Products Association ^{{Ref #1 ~ APPA}} projects above-average price increases for both pet food and pet supplies. Why not? We spare nothing for our pets. For most people, dogs are a psychological AND security comfort. Cats run a close second although they are no deterrent to a break-in.

We spent over $94 billion on our pets in 2019 and while veterinary surgical visits were the biggest expense, the second largest expense category was commercial cat and dog food.

The point here is that we import over 18% of our wheat, about 3.81 million metric tons, even though the U.S. was/is the world’s 5th largest producer. ^{{Ref #2 ~ Statista}} Most of our wheat is grown in North Dakota, Kansas and Montana and thus far in May 2021, wheat producers are doing well.

If you hear your dog whispering “feed meat” listen up! It is better for your dog and good for the U.S. economy. In 2020 the United States was the largest producer of beef in the world at 19%, followed by Brazil, European Union, China and India. I know, you’re wondering why ground beef costs so much… Do you really want to know? OK, but this may cause to you lose your appetite!

This started when I happened across an article saying that America “imports lean beef trim rather than process more valuable domestic cuts, such as steak, into ground beef.” That turned my stomach! Then I got mad when I learned this…

American cattle ranchers are being squeezed out and bought out. I hope you believe in America’s ranching heritage. It is not just that the Cowboys and Indians seem to have disappeared, I have watched the freedom my grandparents came to America for diminish in my lifetime. In many European countries you can’t even own a pet of your choosing! Is that where the U.S. is headed?

Back to America’s economic freedom. This will make you want to bite somebody… “Roughly 8 to 10 percent of beef consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries, while 11 to 14 percent of the beef raised in the U.S. is sent elsewhere.” ^{{Ref #3 ~ Food Safety News}}

Is someone is tampering with our food supply for personal or political gain? I am not a detective and contrary to what my friends say, I do not have a crystal ball. I do know what cat food and a loaf of bread costs. My neighbor said months ago we were being “sold out” and now I find out he might be right! He sent me these sites and I will share them if you are interested.

{1} APPA (Am. Pet Products Assoc.) {2} Statistics of US wheat import/export since 2000  {3} Import/exports beef trade

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