The
situation is complicated by the fact that all LMB nations
import
a large share of their livestock derived protein supplies,
with
Viet Nam and Thailand as exporters of livestock products
(Table
2). The LMB nations import livestock feed, which in the case
of
Viet Nam and Thailand, enables their high levels of livestock
production
from a modest area of pasture. Further, Thailand
imports
large volumes of maize for livestock from Cambodia and
Laos
(FAO, 2008). If a 6–9% increase in livestock production is
required
in the LMB nations simply to replace lost fish catch from
all
planned dams by 2030 (Table 4, scenario 2) then an increase in
imports
of livestock feeds would also be expected, increasing the
global
land and water footprint of their production. The higher
prices
of imported products would increase pressure on LMB
producers
to raise income to pay for foreign inputs (e.g. livestock
feed),
and these higher prices on products would further
disadvantage
the poor.