Sustainable Transition of Meat and Cured Meat Supply Chain

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Introduction

   Anna Maria Fellegara, Riccardo Torelli, Andrea Caccialanza

   Abstract

   Sustainability and sustainable development are now benchmark concepts in business administration and management. Despite the increasingly widespread familiarity with these concepts, for many companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, it is still unclear the benefit that adopting a sustainable strategy could bring and above all the real extent of the investment required, in financial, organisational, human and relational terms. Moreover, the legal instruments through which such a strategy could be implemented and the tax benefits that could derive from it are sometimes not very well understood, especially in light of the forthcoming regulatory interventions aimed at facilitating such paths, also in connection with the use of EU funds. Taking as its reference, the articulation of research topics of interest for Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and in particular the topic about the redefinition of development models oriented towards a sustainable and inclusive economic and financial system, the VIS—Valore Impresa Sostenibile (Sustainable Company Value) project set out to develop and implement a self-assessment model for sustainable innovation and change in companies in the cured meat supply chain. This push to turn towards practices of responsibility, sustainability (social, environmental and economic) and respect for ethical-moral values is tangibly present in the founding principles of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. The principles of integral humanism (Maritain, 1936) to which the Social Doctrine of the Church tends (Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, 2004), have represented, and continue to do so, key values of the pedagogical and scientific research action of this University. These core values, strengthened and further actualised by the work of Pope Francis, Laudato si’ (2015), offer spiritual nourishment and encouragement, as well as scientific inspiration, in concentrating one’s energies and skills towards the search for interventions, models, practices, strategies and actions for a humanity able to feel empathy and to grant the other respect, acceptance and care.

3. Generation Z and Sustainable Cured Meat Consumption: Educational Challenges and Pedagogical Perspectives

   Cristina Birbes, Sara Bornatici

   Abstract

   The contribution, without claiming to be exhaustive, extends from the results of two focus groups aimed at deepening the potential connections between cured meats and sustainability in the youth’s imagination. The study involved students from the Brescia and Piacenza campuses of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and it investigated the motivations of consumption and the readiness of Generation Z to change their behaviour and lifestyle in favour of greater involvement in the sustainable development process. Analysis of the content of these interventions reveals a need for greater knowledge and skills on the topics covered by the research and the need for a shared commitment on the part of families, schools, businesses and the civil community to improve the attitude of younger generations in terms of thinking of themselves as protagonists of the future.

4. Sustainability of Swine Breeding: Future Challenges and Opportunities

   Federico Froldi, Giulia Ferronato, Aldo Prandini

   Abstract

   The swine sector must address the challenge of climate change, reduce its environmental footprint and ensure sustainable production. In this regard, the availability of quality pork from more sustainable intensive breeding farms provides an opportunity to respond to a renewed awareness of swine breeding among consumers. This chapter analyses, through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis, the environmental impacts generated by the value chain of pork production and, more in detail, the swine farming system in terms of greenhouse gases, ammonia and volatile substances in general emitted from crop production, animal husbandry and manure management. In particular, aspects that affect the environmental performance of the swine system will be examined: genetics, nutrition, crop production, breeding systems, housing, applied technologies and manure management. The best available techniques for heavy and light swine production to reduce this livestock sector’s environmental impact will also be investigated through increased feed conversion efficiency, reduction of losses, waste and inefficient animals with a direct effect on greenhouse gas emissions and volatile substances.

5. Sustainable Development of Meat Supply Chain and Human Rights

   Francesco Zecchin

   Abstract

   The essay deals with the problem of social sustainability into the meat supply chain, especially from its workers’ human rights point of view. Of course, employees’ human rights should be above all safeguard by employer. However, when the latter is involved in a supply chain, its decisions are not utterly free, but influenced both by the market and, often mainly, by the willingness of the dominant undertaking, at least indirectly. As a result, any violation of workers' human right could be tied not just to a choice of employers but also to the decisions of the company which is the leader of the supply chain. From this perspective, the writing first analyses the task of each meat supply chain's employer regarding human rights protection of its employees. Then, it checks if there is any chance to involve the dominant undertaking in relation to safeguard human rights of the employees who work for the other company of the meat supply chain, despite the “privity of the contract” principle. The research takes inspiration from both the experience of some foreign legal systems and recent European Union acts related to this field.

6. Genomics for Sustainable Cured Pork Supply Chain

   Matilde Maria Passamonti, Riccardo Negrini, Paolo Ajmone-Marsan

   Abstract

   There is a growing market demand for cured meat and a global increased need for animal products driven by demographic growth. However, supply chains are challenged by ethical concerns related to animal welfare, environmental impact and loss of biodiversity. In the short term, these challenges can be faced by following FAO recommendations for the sustainable intensification of livestock breeding, by exploiting advances in livestock housing, management and feeding. However, ongoing climate change is further threatening animal health and farming sustainability. This calls for sustainable changes in production systems to ensure food security globally. In this regard, genetics may provide long-term solutions to adapt animals to environmental condition and improve resilience to diseases, longevity, animal welfare and reproduction rates. To do this, a comprehensive knowledge of the genetic control of the traits of interest is necessary to facilitate genomic selection or to select targets for gene editing. The genetic characterization of local breeds, adapted to various environmental conditions, will help to identify the genes and genomic regions controlling the adaptation and valorize these breeds for use in sustainable farming. This chapter reviews research in the field of genetics related to sustainable livestock production in the cured meat supply chain and identifies the main new opportunities.

7. The Quality of Heavy Pork Meat: The Role of PDO Production Specifications

   Giulia Ferronato, Federico Froldi, Aldo Prandini

   Abstract

   This chapter discusses pork’s qualitative and distinctive characteristics about the primary factors affecting its quality. In particular, genetic, environmental, and dietary aspects will be considered. A detailed analysis of the main types of pork produced at the European and National levels in relation to their typicality will be made. In this regard, the peculiar characteristics of the product specifications of Italian PDOs will be highlighted, showing how they have conditioned national heavy swine production over the years, the updates made, and future developments. Furthermore, the role of livestock farming as a user of agri-food co-products and the advantage the livestock sector has in exploiting such food that would otherwise go to waste, e.g., whey and soybean meal, will be discussed.

8. Animal Welfare in Swine Production

   Federico Froldi, Giulia Ferronato, Aldo Prandini

   Abstract

   Animal production safety is closely related to the welfare of animals raised for food production and aims to maintain high animal health standards by protecting them. This chapter aims to introduce current European and National legislation on animal welfare in swine farming, starting from the foundation and maintenance of the five freedoms that condition animal welfare, general requirements regarding environmental and microclimatic parameters and the human–animal relationship. In particular, the criteria and schemes for evaluating welfare from stable to transport to animal slaughter will be discussed. Consideration will be given to the various factors affecting animal welfare, in particular: the type of housing and roosting areas, the space available and the density of animals in the barn, transport conditions, stunning and slaughtering methods, castration of males, tail-cutting, feed quality and housing cooling systems. Precision farming techniques will be explained to support farmers in understanding and identifying animal behaviour, e.g., disease diagnosis, assistance in calving areas, improving breeding conditions and reducing sickness factors.

9. Taxation and Ecological Transition in Production Chains

   Marco Allena, Andrea Purpura

   Abstract

   Highlighting the essential role that taxation necessarily has to play in the environmental context and in ecological transition processes, the research intends to focus on the role of taxation in the area of company production chains. In more specific terms, the research investigates how taxation could be used as a lever to steer production chains, encouraging the use of more ecologically mindful and environmentally sustainable processes.

10. Protecting Farm Animal Biodiversity through Geographical Indications: A Legal Analysis

    Luca Leone, Domenico Cristallo

    Abstract

    Over the last decades, increasing loss of genetic diversity in livestock farming has led the EU institutions to focus on improving the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources. Legislation on geographical indications (GIs), among other things, has become a tool through which to integrate biodiversity preservation with the objectives pursued by the Common Agricultural Policy. Indeed, by relying on the relations among the product, the territory and its history, protection of GIs is supposed to help maintain a genetic pool of rustic domesticated species, thus contributing to prevent genetic erosion.

    In 2022, in the face of the EU Green Deal aimed at making the food system more resilient and sustainable, the GIs system has been put under normative revision. The reform is expected to increase the uptake of GIs for the benefit of rural economy, while preserving the gastronomic and cultural heritage of Member States.

    Against this backdrop, a core question arises: Will the future GIs regulatory framework be suitable to support the protection and valorization of genetic diversity in EU livestock farming? This is the crucial query which this chapter is structured on and around. The final goal aims to explore whether and how the legislative review will be fitting with the need for a more inclusive approach that efficiently embeds and deals with the biological, ecological and social aspects pertaining to farm animal biodiversity.

11. Firm Financial Performance and Growth in the Italian Meat Industry: A Longitudinal Analysis

    Ilaria Galavotti, Daniele Cerrato

    Abstract

    This chapter aims to offer an overview of the growth strategies and performance of firms operating in the Italian meat industry, a mature, yet particularly dynamic industry that is raising interest among scholars and practitioners in virtue of both its economic relevance and environmental impact. Based on the analysis of 992 companies across the 5-year timeframe 2017–2021, the study will first provide an analysis of the economic and financial performance of companies by assessing the size, growth, profitability, the liquidity, and financial sustainability. Secondly, the chapter takes a strategic lens and analyzes corporate expansion, particularly in terms of internationalization, and modes of corporate expansion, with a focus on external growth strategies (mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures).

12. Climate Change Risk Management and Firms’ Adaptive Responses: Evidence from the Livestock Industry

    Carlotta D’Este, Marcela Ciubotaru, Marina Carabelli

    Abstract

    Building on the existing literature on corporate risk management and emerging risks, this study investigates livestock firms’ identification, assessment, and management of climate change risks. Specifically, we surveyed a sample of 40 Italian firms operating in the upstream stages of the livestock supply chain, to explore their perception of and responses to climate-related threats. Our findings reveal that, while being well aware of potential climatic challenges, the sampled firms have not adopted a systematic approach to climate change risk assessment and management. Furthermore, results suggest that Italian livestock firms tend to enact a wait-and see-strategy, along with adaptation measures when faced with unexpected disruptive events due to changes in the natural environment. On the whole, our study contributes to the ongoing debate on climate change risk by shedding light on firms’ reactions to unpredictable uncertainties and by exploring the role of industry- and entity-specific characteristics in shaping risk responses.

13. A Specific Risk Approach to the Meat and Cured Meat Supply Chain

    Anna Maria Fellegara, Andrea Lippi

    Abstract

    The purpose of this chapter is to identify the specific risks of the pork supply chain during the ecological transition process that can generate significant repercussions on a company’s financial stability. Possible financing solutions will therefore also be presented, which individual businesses will be able to develop directly on the market by issuing specific debt securities or by turning to the banking system. With reference to the latter aspect, in particular, we intend to highlight the main environmental variables a decision-maker takes into consideration when examining a finance assignment request from a company in the pork supply chain affected by the ecological transition process and the role that the Confidi can play in supporting the request.

14. Managing Generational Handover in Family Business: Some Case Studies in the Charcuterie Factories

    Barbara Barabaschi, Roberta Virtuani, Franca Cantoni

    Abstract

    Aim of this chapter is to highlight the peculiarities of the succession in family business in the charcuteries sector and to discuss the main difficulties encountered by second- and third-generation entrepreneurs during the handover. The case studies analyzed (Salumificio Gagliardi, Grossetti, Giordano, San Carlo) consider SME family firms in the Piacenza territory, trying to identify distinctive features in the succession process. Results show that the new generation of entrepreneurs is giving special attention to investments in sustainability, and in this respect, the study has identified some common factors in successful succession processes.

15. Generation Z, Consumption of Cured Meats, and Lifestyles

    Antonio Molinari, Elisa Zane

    Abstract

    As part of the “human development” research unit, the aim was to explore the consumption habits of cured meats of a particular segment of consumers, namely, the younger generations. Special attention is paid to the age group between 15 and 25 years, the so-called Gen Z or those born between 1995 and 2010. Young “Gen Z” are considered as accustomed to the use of technology and social media, which affect a significant part of their socialization process. Therefore, they have been defined as “digital natives.” A quantitative questionnaire was prepared to investigate the youth culture underlying the purchase and consumption of cured meats, with particular reference to product knowledge, places, frequency, opportunities, choice criteria, and buying influences.

16. The Sustainability of Meat and Cured Meat Supply Chain: Where Are we Now?

    Andrea Caccialanza, Andrea Sartori, Stella Gubelli, Francesca Romana Giannini, Ettore Capri

    Abstract

    Food systems are playing a key role in the transition toward a more social, environmental and economical sustainable way of production and consumption. Within the food industry, meat-based products are responsible of an important part of the food supply chain global impact. Sustainable practices and production systems affect the efficiency and mitigate the environmental and social impact. Within the European context, the technological development is fostering the spread of sustainability practices and of more effective sustainability measures, often oriented to international frameworks. In Italy, a country characterized by high variety of fresh meat and cured meat-based products, there is a lack of research on social and environmental accounting, nor on the disclosure of sustainability practices. The main goal of this paper is to investigate on the diffusion of sustainability practices through a critical assessment conducted among these companies. The area under analysis includes, but is not limited to, the analysis of governance, communities, supply chain and environmental impacts. For each area, it has been mapped and discussed issues, indicators and the implementation of international standards and diffused best practices. The focus, according to the existing literature, is on supply chain best processing practices and the discussion of the relative environmental product impact. This focus includes the analysis of carbon emissions, technological readiness of products packaging, the intensity of water withdrawals, water and waste disposal. The findings show a wide disclosure of supply chain and product sustainability issues, while the environmental and governance areas are less thorough. One of the main implications for the industry is the need to adopt a holistic approach to sustainability walking and talking, also considering what is happening in other food sub-industries.

17. The Spread of Sustainability Reporting in the Italian Food Manufacturing Context

    Andrea Caccialanza, Marco Marinoni

    Abstract

    The current evolution of EU regulation in terms of sustainability of practices and reporting are now imposing to a greater number of operators reports on their sustainability performance. The recently approved of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, based on the 2021 EU Commission proposal, implement prior regulation, both at European (Directive 2014/95/EU) and national level (Legislative Decree 254/2016), and extending the requirements in terms of non-financial disclosure. This chapter investigates and maps the diffusion of sustainability reporting within the Italian food manufacturing sector in order to contextualise the current level of disclosure for each category of food products. The dimensions involved regard, namely, the number of sustainability reports available, the presence/absence of external assurance, the material topics identified, the identification of qualitative and quantitative targets and their association to the goals of the UN 2030 agenda, the presence of (products or processes) certifications, DPO or PGI products in their portfolio and the reference to a written Ethical Code or the model 231/2001.

18. The VIS Assessment Tool for the Cured Meat Italian Supply Chain: Fostering Accountability for Sustainability through a FAO SAFA-Based Framework

    Davide Galli, Riccardo Torelli, Andrea Caccialanza

    Abstract

    This chapter proposes a discussion on the opportunities of performing a detailed analysis of the sustainability dimensions involved in companies’ managerial practices and reporting propensity. Taking the FAO’ SAFA framework as a reference, an analysis was performed on the specific context of the Italian agri-food chain of cured meat products. The selection process has been conducted with supply chain associations and firms, discussing with field experts the materiality of the themes for this peculiar context. Once validated, this model may represent a golden rule for sustainability assessment framework for the Italian cured meat supply chain and a “ready to use” self-assessment tool for all the small and medium enterprises both at farm and transformation level. In terms of practical implications, this model helps (1) the operator to establish a time-series analysis of its sustainability performance, (2) it represents a significant-comparable benchmarking scheme for the whole supply chain, and (3) it can be used as holistic model approach to identify thematic gaps in firm’s sustainability orientation.