EU: 'The livestock sector - a major culprit in destruction of the environment'

Question no 69 by Jens Holm (H-0198/07):

26 April 2007 - Strasbourg

According to a new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO (Livestock's Long Shadow – Environmental Issues and Options, 2006), the livestock sector is one of the biggest destroyers of the environment in the world. It is responsible for no less than 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions – actually more than the combined emissions of greenhouse gases from the transport sector. Livestock's digestion and the manure they produce give rise to emissions of the powerful greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. Emissions also occur when forests are felled to create pastureland, releasing carbon dioxide which was previously bound as carbon in trees. The production and transport of livestock, feed and meat also cause significant emissions.

The FAO stresses that it is very important to act vigorously to reduce the environmental impact of the livestock sector, and one way of doing so would be to ensure that the price of food reflects environmental costs. Other economic incentives may also be possible, for example environmental bonuses for plant production. Reducing the EU's agricultural subsidies would be an effective measure. Meat would probably become more expensive, which would halt the growth of meat consumption.

Does the Commission endorse the conclusions of the FAO report on the livestock sector's impact on greenhouse gas emissions? What measures will the Commission take to reduce substantially the adverse impact of the livestock sector on our environment?

Source: The livestock sector - a major culprit in destruction of the environment
Author: EU:

Link: Meat - it costs the earth
Link: Meat in a low-carbon world
Link: Subject: Meat consumption and climate change/WRITTEN QUESTION by Jens Holm (GUE/NGL) to the Commission