FAO reports that livestock is a major contributor to serious environmental problems worldwide.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recently released an extensive report assessing livestock's impact on the environment. Livestock production was shown to have a serious effect on land degradation, climate change, air pollution, water shortage and pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. The report's conclusions were sobering:

* Global production of meat is expected to more than double over the next 50 years. In 2003, average yearly meat consumption in the U.S. was 271 pounds per person; in India, it was 11 pounds per person.

* Livestock production accounts for 30 percent of the land surface of the earth and 70 percent of agricultural land.

* The livestock sector is responsible for a greater production of greenhouse gas than automobiles and other forms of transportation. Livestock also produce almost two-thirds of ammonia emissions, a significant contributor to acid rain.

* More than 8 percent of human water use is due to the livestock sector, mainly irrigating feedcrops.

* In the United States, livestock are responsible for 55 percent of erosion and sediment, 37 percent of pesticide use, and 50 percent of antibiotic use.

* Most of the world's threatened species are suffering from habitat loss, due--at least in part--to livestock production.

Surprisingly, there is little mention of vegetarianism in this report. It does say, "...environmental damage by livestock may be significantly reduced by lowering excessive consumption of livestock products among wealthy people."

The report states that the majority of environmentalists and policymakers do not fully appreciate the enormous effect of livestock production on climate, biodiversity, and water. Perhaps, this report will increase awareness and support the idea that livestock production should rank as a leading focus for environmental policy.

This report is a must-read for those who are concerned about the environment. It can be accessed at <www.virtualcentre.org/en/library/key_pub/longshad/ A0701E00.pdf>.

Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, et al. Livestock's Long Shadow--Environmental Issues and Opinions. Rome: FAO, 2006.

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, FADA