Livestock vital in fight against climate change
22 September 2009
A LEADING scientist has issued a robust rebuttal to those who claim livestock are the biggest contributors to climate change.
Dr David Garwes, an independent livestock scientist, said grassland farmers made a considerable contribution to food security while continuing to reduce their environmental impact.
His report, released by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), added livestock farmers made an important contribution in the fight against climate change.
In his report, Reducing Emissions from Livestock, Dr Garwes also urged consumers not to abandon meat eating.
Dr Garwes said: “More than 60 per cent of British agricultural land is grassland and much of it, particularly the hills and uplands, is unsuitable for other crops.
“Semi-permanent rough grazing and improved grasslands play a vital role in locking up carbon dioxide and regulating the flow of rain into water courses. Read More
Livestock production does more to benefit the world than it ever will to harm it. With a vast majority of the land mass on this planet unsuitable for crop production, we need livestock to be able to harvest the grasses that grow in those areas. There is also no doubt that agriculture is much more efficient and producing less emissions than in the past, a trend that is continuing. The calls to end animal agriculture in the name of the environment are short sighted to say the least.
2 comments:
Again, I find remarkable the extremism you perceive yourself to be battling. I love burgers and steaks and seek no end to animal agriculture. Dr. Garwes's position seems to fit perfectly with mine: expand real grassland ranching and get rid of the concentrated animal feedlots that generate terrible local air and water pollution and produce less healthy, less tasty meat.
By the way, Dr. Garwes appears to accept that reducing greenhouse gases is a good thing. He credits livestock producers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing their herds and producing more product with fewer animals. So it would appear that even your advocate recognizes the need for livestock producers to change the way they do business and raise fewer animals. Hmmmm... is that your position?
YEAH!! I totally agree. Bovine, do what they were intended to do. Turn forage into BEEF! So that we can eat a better protein source!
Thank you for all you do!!
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