Towards a sustainable, participatory and inclusive wild meat sector

Abstract

First paragraph: In this document, we use the term ‘wild meat’ to refer to terrestrial animal wildlife used for food in all parts of the world. The meat of wild animals has historically been, and still is, an essential source of protein and income for millions of indigenous peoples and local communities in tropical and subtropical regions. Invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are eaten across the world; some of them also hold an important place in traditional cultural values and practices. However, unsustainable harvesting rates are causing significant declines in many species, thus threatening the integrity of ecosystems, imperiling the food security of vulnerable households and impacting global biodiversity.