Since the beginning of August, the Brazilian government has authorized the slaughter of pregnant cattle during the final stage of gestation. The measure caused revulsion among animal welfare entities, but there is another aspect to be taken into account: permitting this form of slaughter could have a negative impact on the country’s economic gains from the beef trade.
When farmers sell cattle to slaughterhouses, they are paid in accordance with the animal’s weight: the heavier the cow, the more profitable it is. An in-calf heifer, therefore, costs more, due to the weight of its young and the uterine tissue...
