Venezuela is a poor performer (“E”) under the VACI. Although animal consumption and production has declined in recent years, Venezuela’s farmed animal protection legislation and enforcement is inadequate.
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Venezuela slaughters around 13 land-based animals per person per year, half as many as in 2013 but still higher than the global average of 10.1. The country’s dependence on farmed animals remains somewhat high, with around 5.1 farmed animals per person, versus a global average of 4.1. Factory farming is prominent, particularly with pigs, chickens and other farmed birds. However, its use has reduced in recent years due to supply chain disruptions, reduced demand, gasoline shortages and increased crime. In fact, Venezuela has moved up 11 ranks under the VACI since 2017 due to a sharp recorded decline in animal slaughter and consumption. The persistent economic and political crises in the country have severely affected all economic activities including livestock production.
Animal protein is estimated to make up 42% of the Venezuelan diet, down from 50.2% in 2013, compared with a global average of 35.2%. Each person is estimated to consume around 22.4g of land-based animal protein per day, versus a global average of 27.2g. However, further drops in consumption may well have occurred since the latest FAO statistics were compiled.
Venezuela is rated as a poor performer (“E”) under the Animal Protection Index (API), and its farmed animal protection legislation achieved the worst performance rating (“G”) under the same index. Venezuela’s animal protection legislation is not aligned with international standards, and fails to address the rearing, slaughter, or transport of farmed animals. Enforcement mechanisms are minimal. Learn more about the quality of Venezuela’s legislative protections on the API here.