Water And Land Issues Associated With Animal Agriculture
This paper addresses some of the environmental concerns associated with animal agriculture raised in the FAO report ‘Livestock’s Long Shadow’. Seventy percent of the global freshwater used by humans is used for agriculture, and 45% of land in the US is used for agriculture. Demand for meat and animal products is predicted to double in the coming decades. There is a conflict between predicted global increases in meat consumption and the environmental consequences of increasing production. The authors recommended policy changes to increase productivity, which would include further intensification of animal agriculture.
Excerpt from Article Summary:
“This paper addresses specific water and land concerns related to animal agriculture. The authors consider issues of water use and water quality associated with the livestock sector and the related environmental and economic impacts. The paper also includes a discussion of livestock land use, land degradation, land application of manure and manure-based composts, and deforestation related to farm policies.”
“This Issue Paper presents scientific data specific to North America (primarily the United States) and explains how and why these data compare with other parts of the world. Additionally, it discusses how to reduce the environmental impact of livestock agriculture while preserving resources and quality of life.”