1. World problems
  2. Hormone trafficking

Hormone trafficking

  • Hormone mafia
  • Meat mafia

Nature

Illegal hormones are bought by organized criminal groups and sold to veterinarians, chemists and animal feed suppliers. The hormones accelerate animal growth. "Hormone" is an oversimplification; the drugs trafficked include thyroid inhibitors, anabolic steroids, beta-agonists and corticosteroids.

Incidence

In Belgium, the "hormone mafia", said to comprise about 50 people, has been operating since the late 1970s. It obtains drugs from chemical laboratories in countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union, or buys them via other countries. Attacks on veterinary inspectors in Belgium have been linked publicly to the hormone mafia.

In tests conducted in 1995, 36% of Spanish meat containing stimulants. More than 6% of 1000 Belgian beef steaks tested contained residues from synthetic hormones, and 25% contained suspiciously high levels of clenbuterol, a beta-agonist. Results from France were similar.

Claim

Hormones are a means of fraud, and are a crime against the citizen. However, only 10% of the population is prepared to pay more for food produced without hormones. To feed the other 90%, we have to use intensive farming methods.

The EU's ban of the growth hormone-treated meat fuels the illegal market. Since 1988 we have seen the rise of the hormone mafia and a shift towards a black market trade in substances which have not been tested for safety.

Counter-claim

Hormone trafficking is often overstated as a significant issue, overshadowed by far more pressing global challenges. The focus on hormone distribution distracts from critical problems like poverty, climate change, and healthcare access. While it’s essential to ensure proper hormone use, the sensationalism surrounding trafficking diverts resources and attention from urgent matters that truly impact lives. Let’s prioritize real issues that affect millions rather than getting caught up in the relatively minor concern of hormone trafficking.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Trafficking
Unpresentable

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Strategy

Value

Trafficking
Yet to rate

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
  • Biosciences » Biochemicals
  • Commerce » Trade
  • Industry » Meat
  • Societal problems » Crime
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    1A4N
    J0768
    DOCID
    12007680
    D7NID
    142687
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020