Meat, dairy farms harm environment

UNITED STATES - A recent report by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization report, "Livestock's Long Shadow -- Environmental Issues and Options," warns of the dire environmental consequences of the world's growing meat and dairy production.

8 December 2006

1 minute read

North America

According to the report, animal agriculture uses 30 percent of the Earth's land for pasture and feed crops. It is the driving force in worldwide deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction, with 70 percent of the irreplaceable Amazon rain forest turned into pasture. Eventually, pastures are degraded into desert.

Animal agriculture contributes more pollution to our waterways than all other human activities combined. Principal sources are animal wastes, soil particles, minerals, organic debris, fertilizers and pesticides from feed cropland. Most of the world's water supplies are used for irrigating animal feed crops.

Source:ContraCostaTimes