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Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper carries out a choice experiment to analyze the preferences of 444 Spanish consumers and their willingness to pay for plant-based and cultured meats, as compared to conventional meat. Spain was considered of interest for this study due to its significant gastronomic culture, with high-quality meat products that make a great contribution to the economy, meaning that this could be a suitable and also challenging market in which to test alternative sources of protein. The findings show that consumers’ motivations and their interactions with these products are complex. Additionally, a cluster analysis allowed us to identify three types of consumers in terms of preference for these products: price-sensitive millennials, conscious/concerned consumers, and indifferent consumers. Only one group showed some level of acceptance of these alternative products meats.
Alfredo Escribano; Maria Peña; Carlos Díaz-Caro; Ahmed Elghannam; Eva Crespo-Cebada; Francisco Mesías. Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8235 .
AMA StyleAlfredo Escribano, Maria Peña, Carlos Díaz-Caro, Ahmed Elghannam, Eva Crespo-Cebada, Francisco Mesías. Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (15):8235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo Escribano; Maria Peña; Carlos Díaz-Caro; Ahmed Elghannam; Eva Crespo-Cebada; Francisco Mesías. 2021. "Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers." Sustainability 13, no. 15: 8235.
The aim of the present study was (1) to investigate what consumers include within the concept of food sustainability and its link with sustainable consumption, by identifying meaningful consumer typologies from the concept of food sustainability and food choice factors framed by SDG 12, and (2) to know how different farm systems attributes affecting purchase behavior are associated with such typologies. Consumers from two Spanish regions (n = 403) answered a paper questionnaire to know their degree of knowledge of sustainability, and beliefs, behavior, attitudes and preferences towards food sustainability, and the importance given to product characteristics and shopping practices. A principal component analysis was conducted to identify groups with similar answers, to average some of the questions before the final analysis of variance, which includes demographic classes as fixed effects. A cluster analysis using the most representative questions identified two clusters. cluster 1 (68.4%) responded to more sustainability-related attributes, and cluster 2 (31.5%) presented a less-expanded concept of sustainability. The origin of the product and quality certification (local, organic) was important for food purchase practices. The place of residence and gender differences of the consumers were the most influential factors. In the conjoint study, regarding the purchase of Iberian pork, cluster 1 remained unwilling to sacrifice outdoor systems and local breed at the expense of the price, in the case of the Iberian pig production. The most important demographic differentiator was the region of residence of the consumer. In conclusion, consumers are not aware of the wider aspects included in the sustainability concept. Moreover, the concept of sustainability elicits different meanings to the segments of the consumers identified.
Isabel Blanco-Penedo; Javier García-Gudiño; Elena Angón; José Perea; Alfredo Escribano; Maria Font-I-Furnols. Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7397 .
AMA StyleIsabel Blanco-Penedo, Javier García-Gudiño, Elena Angón, José Perea, Alfredo Escribano, Maria Font-I-Furnols. Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (13):7397.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIsabel Blanco-Penedo; Javier García-Gudiño; Elena Angón; José Perea; Alfredo Escribano; Maria Font-I-Furnols. 2021. "Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain." Sustainability 13, no. 13: 7397.
Nowadays, an increasing number of consumers are demanding more information and more direct contact with food producers in order to avoid the various intermediaries in the supply chain, thus improving food traceability and price transfer. This has led to the development of more direct (short) food supply chains (SFSCs). Although consumer preferences to use SFSCs rather than traditional (long) supply chains have been widely researched in the literature, this study brings a new approach with the use of social media sites to build online SFSCs. A focus group approach with a total of 32 participants was used in this study with the main objective to understand consumers’ awareness and acceptance of SFSCs. Special attention was given to the use of social media and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) as new approaches to support the creation of such alternative channels.
Ahmed Elghannam; Francisco J. Mesias; Miguel Escribano; Lina Fouad; Andres Horrillo; Alfredo J. Escribano. Consumers’ Perspectives on Alternative Short Food Supply Chains Based on Social Media: A Focus Group Study in Spain. Foods 2019, 9, 22 .
AMA StyleAhmed Elghannam, Francisco J. Mesias, Miguel Escribano, Lina Fouad, Andres Horrillo, Alfredo J. Escribano. Consumers’ Perspectives on Alternative Short Food Supply Chains Based on Social Media: A Focus Group Study in Spain. Foods. 2019; 9 (1):22.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAhmed Elghannam; Francisco J. Mesias; Miguel Escribano; Lina Fouad; Andres Horrillo; Alfredo J. Escribano. 2019. "Consumers’ Perspectives on Alternative Short Food Supply Chains Based on Social Media: A Focus Group Study in Spain." Foods 9, no. 1: 22.
There is a current need to increase global livestock production in line with consumers’ preferences for more sustainable and ‘natural’ products. Organic farming is considered among the potential production systems and market strategies that could be employed to cope with this change. Animal nutrition is key, as it greatly influences feed efficiency, animal health, and sustainability. Under situations where animal health care is technically more challenging, due to limitations in the use of veterinary drugs (such as in organic farming), the importance of feed is even higher. However, the there is a lack of commercially available permitted feed ingredients and the range of feed additives on the market is limited. This is partially due to the fact that organic regulations are mainly followed to ensure that pure organic methods are used, instead of trying attain the core goal of complying with organic principles and contributing to the sustainability of the sector. For example, improved animal health and animal welfare through the use of non-organically certified feed additives is needed. This lack of availability, along with difficulties for the feed industry to become organic, affects the development of sustainability in the livestock sector (which should be the final objective of organic farming) in both already organic livestock/feed companies and those still producing under the conventional system. In this context, the presented work may be interesting to producers and policymakers, as it is aimed at providing a critical view of the relationship between the market and the needs of the livestock sector, the sustainability challenge, and organic farming regulations as applied to animal nutrition.
Alfredo J. Escribano. Organic Feed: A Bottleneck for the Development of the Livestock Sector and Its Transition to Sustainability? Sustainability 2018, 10, 2393 .
AMA StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. Organic Feed: A Bottleneck for the Development of the Livestock Sector and Its Transition to Sustainability? Sustainability. 2018; 10 (7):2393.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. 2018. "Organic Feed: A Bottleneck for the Development of the Livestock Sector and Its Transition to Sustainability?" Sustainability 10, no. 7: 2393.
Livestock production requires important amounts of resources, which are limited. Therefore, the feed industry is under pressure to combine food security and sustainability. Hence, it is going through an important process of remodeling (both in focus and in practice). The feed industry should make good use of this context as a way to evolve towards a more sustainable future, and constitute itself as a player in global sustainability efforts. The present chapter reviews the concept of quality (using meat products as model) and gives examples of how to modulate animal products healthiness/safety and reduce the environmental impact of the sector through animal feeding practices. Finally, it provides an overview of the main research areas and ongoing projects that the main global organizations involved in the feed sector are currently running in order to successfully overcome sustainability challenges.
Alfredo J. Escribano. The Evolution of the Feed Industry Towards Its “Sustainabilization”. Advances in Linguistics and Communication Studies 2018, 181 -209.
AMA StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. The Evolution of the Feed Industry Towards Its “Sustainabilization”. Advances in Linguistics and Communication Studies. 2018; ():181-209.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. 2018. "The Evolution of the Feed Industry Towards Its “Sustainabilization”." Advances in Linguistics and Communication Studies , no. : 181-209.
Alfredo J. Escribano; Paula Gaspar; Francisco J. Mesías; Miguel Escribano. Do Organic Livestock Farms Differ from Low-Input Conventional Ones? Insights Based on Beef Cattle in Southern Europe. Livestock Science 2017, 1 .
AMA StyleAlfredo J. Escribano, Paula Gaspar, Francisco J. Mesías, Miguel Escribano. Do Organic Livestock Farms Differ from Low-Input Conventional Ones? Insights Based on Beef Cattle in Southern Europe. Livestock Science. 2017; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J. Escribano; Paula Gaspar; Francisco J. Mesías; Miguel Escribano. 2017. "Do Organic Livestock Farms Differ from Low-Input Conventional Ones? Insights Based on Beef Cattle in Southern Europe." Livestock Science , no. : 1.
Transitions toward sustainability are increasingly important in the agricultural sector, and particularly for the livestock sector located in disfavored areas, due to the growing demand for protein of animal origin, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of this sector. The present study reviews the main factors playing a role in its sustainability from land to fork, and reviews relationships between competitiveness and sustainability. The study proposes recommendations for sustainable and successful transitions, and two new concepts for development: “sustainable competitiveness” and “sustainable specialization”, exemplified by the case of a Spanish disfavored area.
A.J. Escribano; Nilanjan Ray. Transitions toward Sustainability in the Livestock Business. Handbook of Research on Climate Change and the Sustainable Financial Sector 2017, 192 -214.
AMA StyleA.J. Escribano, Nilanjan Ray. Transitions toward Sustainability in the Livestock Business. Handbook of Research on Climate Change and the Sustainable Financial Sector. 2017; ():192-214.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.J. Escribano; Nilanjan Ray. 2017. "Transitions toward Sustainability in the Livestock Business." Handbook of Research on Climate Change and the Sustainable Financial Sector , no. : 192-214.
Highlights\ud •The identification of the livestock production systems (LPS) existing in a given area constitutes the first step to manage farms sustainably.\ud •Management and structure of dehesa beef cattle farms positioned them in a good place regarding PAC's trends (mainly in terms of environmental protection).\ud •Farms should reduce their dependence on external workforce and subsidies, and increase their productivity and economic performance.\ud •The latter could be achieved adding value to the products sold, i.e. finishing more calves, developing new products and/or participating in marketing.\ud •It has not been observed a high relationship between farms the typologies obtained from the analysis of technical-economic aspects, and the previously established groups of farms based on their condition of being organic and productive orientation.\ud Abstract\ud The identification of the livestock production systems (LPS) existing in a given area constitutes the first step to manage farms sustainably, since it improves the knowledge of its operation and subsequently allows for establishing the appropriate managerial strategies for each LPS. It is of great interest, as LPS are key for agro-ecosystem conservation and rural population in many areas. The present study was conducted in light of the importance of the beef cattle sector for one of the oldest and most heavily protected agroforestry systems (‘dehesa’, SW Spain and Portugal). A total of 63 beef cattle farms (including organic and conventional ones) were analysed from the structural and technical-economic points of view, aiming to: (i) improve the knowledge of the dehesa beef cattle sector; (ii) define specific managerial strategies tailored to each typology (LPS) in order to increase their sustainability as well as that of the dehesa ecosystem; (iii) clarify whether there is a relationship between the typologies obtained on the basis of technical-economic indicators and a previous classification of the farms based on their condition of being organic, and their productive and market orientation. For this purpose, the analysis paid special attention to the level of intensification, productive orientation (presence of a calf-finishing period) and self-reliance (related to their dependence on subsidies). The methodology yielded the following four typologies: (i) extensive farms selling at weaning with low productivity; (ii) extensive farms with low productivity and high dependence on subsidies; (iii) calf-finishing farms with average stocking rates and high profitability; (iv) irrigated farms with low presence of livestock, and high fixed capital and economic fluxes. In general terms, management and structure of dehesa beef cattle farms positioned them in a good place regarding CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) trends (mainly in terms of environmental protection). However, the farms studied must improve several aspects. Firstly, they need to increase their degree of self-reliance (reducing their dependence on external workforce and subsidies). Secondly, their productivity and economic performance must also be increased. The latter could be achieved by adding value to the products being sold, i.e. finishing more calves, developing new products and/or participating in marketing. Generally speaking, a close relationship between farm typologies and the previously established groups of farms (Conventional, Organic 1 and Organic 2) has not been observed. This was due to the similarities between organic and conventional farms in the context of the dehesas with regard to indicators used in the present study
A.J. Escribano; P. Gaspar; Francisco J. Mesias; Miguel Escribano. The role of the level of intensification, productive orientation and self-reliance in extensive beef cattle farms. Livestock Science 2016, 193, 8 -19.
AMA StyleA.J. Escribano, P. Gaspar, Francisco J. Mesias, Miguel Escribano. The role of the level of intensification, productive orientation and self-reliance in extensive beef cattle farms. Livestock Science. 2016; 193 ():8-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.J. Escribano; P. Gaspar; Francisco J. Mesias; Miguel Escribano. 2016. "The role of the level of intensification, productive orientation and self-reliance in extensive beef cattle farms." Livestock Science 193, no. : 8-19.
Dehesa is a remarkable agroforestry system, which needs the implementation of sustainable production systems in order to reduce its deterioration. Moreover, its livestock farms need to adapt to a new global market context. As a response, the organic livestock sector has expanded not only globally but also in the region in search for increased overall sustainability. However, conversions to the organic system have been commonly carried out without analyzing farms’ feasibility to do so. This analysis is necessary before implementing any new production system in order to reduce both the diversity of externalities that the variety of contexts leads to and the vulnerability of the DDehesa ecosystem to small management changes. Within this context and in the face of this gap in knowledge, the present paper analyzes the ease of such conversions and the farms’ chances of success after conversion in the face of global changes (market and politics). Different aspects (“areas of action”) were studied and integrated within the Global Conversion Index (GCI), and the legal requirement for European organic farming, organic principles, future challenges for ruminants’ production systems, as well as the lines of action for the post-2013 CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) and their impacts on the beef cattle sector were taken into account. Results revealed that farms must introduce significant changes before initiating the conversion process, since they had very low scores on the GCI (42.74%), especially with regard to health and agro-ecosystem management (principle of Ecology). Regarding rearing and animal welfare (principle of justice/fairness), farms were close to the organic system. From the social point of view, active participation in manufacturing and marketing of products should be increased.
Alfredo J. Escribano. Beef Cattle Farms’ Conversion to the Organic System. Recommendations for Success in the Face of Future Changes in a Global Context. Sustainability 2016, 8, 572 .
AMA StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. Beef Cattle Farms’ Conversion to the Organic System. Recommendations for Success in the Face of Future Changes in a Global Context. Sustainability. 2016; 8 (6):572.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. 2016. "Beef Cattle Farms’ Conversion to the Organic System. Recommendations for Success in the Face of Future Changes in a Global Context." Sustainability 8, no. 6: 572.
Alfredo J. Escribano. Organic Livestock Farming — Challenges, Perspectives, and Strategies to Increase Its Contribution to the Agrifood System’s Sustainability — A Review. Organic Farming - A Promising Way of Food Production 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. Organic Livestock Farming — Challenges, Perspectives, and Strategies to Increase Its Contribution to the Agrifood System’s Sustainability — A Review. Organic Farming - A Promising Way of Food Production. 2016; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J. Escribano. 2016. "Organic Livestock Farming — Challenges, Perspectives, and Strategies to Increase Its Contribution to the Agrifood System’s Sustainability — A Review." Organic Farming - A Promising Way of Food Production , no. : 1.
Francisco J. Mesías; Francisco J Pulido; Miguel Escribano; Paula Gaspar; Ángel F. Pulido; A.J. Escribano; Antonio Rodríguez-Ledesma. Evaluation of New Packaging Formats for Dry-Cured Meat Products Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Dry-Cured Iberian Ham. Journal of Sensory Studies 2013, 28, 238 -247.
AMA StyleFrancisco J. Mesías, Francisco J Pulido, Miguel Escribano, Paula Gaspar, Ángel F. Pulido, A.J. Escribano, Antonio Rodríguez-Ledesma. Evaluation of New Packaging Formats for Dry-Cured Meat Products Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Dry-Cured Iberian Ham. Journal of Sensory Studies. 2013; 28 (3):238-247.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancisco J. Mesías; Francisco J Pulido; Miguel Escribano; Paula Gaspar; Ángel F. Pulido; A.J. Escribano; Antonio Rodríguez-Ledesma. 2013. "Evaluation of New Packaging Formats for Dry-Cured Meat Products Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Dry-Cured Iberian Ham." Journal of Sensory Studies 28, no. 3: 238-247.
A study of dairy goat systems was carried out in the “Villuercas-Ibores” region, a mountainous area located in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula (Cáceres, Spain). This territory is characterized by difficult orography and a fairly harsh climate, and has low indices of income and population density. Goat production in the area has contributed notably to its economic and social development historically, but there has been a marked recession in goat-based activities in recent decades, leading to changes in the type and intensity of land use. The purpose of the study is to analyze the main characteristics of the current goat farming systems in a zone in which goat milk production is possible under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) brand “Ibores Cheese”, and to establish a farm classification that will allow groups of holdings with common characteristics to be identified, so that they can be compared and their performance evaluated. The data were obtained through direct interviews to goat farmers ( n = 61) within the geographical area of the PDO “Ibores Cheese”. Specific information on management was collected, together with data on family characteristics, labour, livestock numbers, land use, installations, continuity, recent changes in farming, and the farmer's opinions. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to examine the relationships among the quantitative variables, then a two-step cluster analysis was applied using the factors obtained in the PCA and categorical variables. This resulted in a farm typology of three groups distinguished by their land use, goat breed, and PDO membership. The best management practices and productivity results were obtained by the farms furthest removed from the traditional systems. The first group of farms is characterized by small size flocks. Many of these farms do not belong to the PDO and therefore they have chosen breeds that are not allowed by the PDO regulations. Most of them are semi-intensive or intensive farms. The second group consist of extensive farms with large size flocks of goats complemented with sheep farming and, occasionally, with beef cattle or Iberian pig. They have got technically suitable milking rooms, although the availability of other infrastructure is poor. Finally, the third group identified includes extensive farms whose goat flock size is very similar to that of group 1, but in 70% of the cases they are mixed farms, mainly combining goat with sheep flocks. Most of them are producing milk that is sold to firms producing PDO cheese. It is the group closest to the traditional farming system and the farms have small flocks of low productivity per goat, raising autochthonous breeds and their crossbreeds. Keywords Goat systems Farm typology PDO “Ibores Cheese” Multivariate analysis Management practices
P. Gaspar; A.J. Escribano; F.J. Mesías; M. Escribano; A.F. Pulido. Goat systems of Villuercas-Ibores area in SW Spain: Problems and perspectives of traditional farming systems. Small Ruminant Research 2011, 97, 1 -11.
AMA StyleP. Gaspar, A.J. Escribano, F.J. Mesías, M. Escribano, A.F. Pulido. Goat systems of Villuercas-Ibores area in SW Spain: Problems and perspectives of traditional farming systems. Small Ruminant Research. 2011; 97 (1-3):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. Gaspar; A.J. Escribano; F.J. Mesías; M. Escribano; A.F. Pulido. 2011. "Goat systems of Villuercas-Ibores area in SW Spain: Problems and perspectives of traditional farming systems." Small Ruminant Research 97, no. 1-3: 1-11.
A.J. Escribano; P. Gaspar; F.J. Mesias; M. Escribano; A.F. Pulido. Competitiveness of extensive beef cattle farms located in the dehesa ecosystem (SW Europe). 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleA.J. Escribano, P. Gaspar, F.J. Mesias, M. Escribano, A.F. Pulido. Competitiveness of extensive beef cattle farms located in the dehesa ecosystem (SW Europe). . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.J. Escribano; P. Gaspar; F.J. Mesias; M. Escribano; A.F. Pulido. 2021. "Competitiveness of extensive beef cattle farms located in the dehesa ecosystem (SW Europe)." , no. : 1.
A.J. Escribano; Francisco J. Mesias; Paula Gaspar; Miguel Escribano; Francisco Pulido. Sustainability of organic and conventional beef cattle farms in SW Spanish rangelands (‘dehesas’): a comparative study. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleA.J. Escribano, Francisco J. Mesias, Paula Gaspar, Miguel Escribano, Francisco Pulido. Sustainability of organic and conventional beef cattle farms in SW Spanish rangelands (‘dehesas’): a comparative study. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.J. Escribano; Francisco J. Mesias; Paula Gaspar; Miguel Escribano; Francisco Pulido. 2021. "Sustainability of organic and conventional beef cattle farms in SW Spanish rangelands (‘dehesas’): a comparative study." , no. : 1.
Comparative Sustainability Assessment of Conventional and Organic beef cattle farms
Alfredo J Escribano. Organic beef cattle farms Sustainability. Dehesa Ecosystem. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAlfredo J Escribano. Organic beef cattle farms Sustainability. Dehesa Ecosystem. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlfredo J Escribano. 2021. "Organic beef cattle farms Sustainability. Dehesa Ecosystem." , no. : 1.