24th August 2023
If agricultural expansion is to be reversed, it will need the combined efforts and cooperation of governments, farmers, consumers, commodity traders, financiers, retailers, and environmental scientists. One of the most important areas to change will be that of meat production.
‘Of all the world’s land surface, approximately 71% is ‘habitable land’; half of this land is used for agriculture. Currently, pastures used for grazing and land used to grow crops for animal feed account for 77% of agricultural land, thus comprising nearly 30% of the total land surface of the planet…If we combine pastures used for grazing with land used to grow crops for animal feed, livestock accounts for 77% of global farming land. While livestock takes up most of the world’s agricultural land it only produces 18% of the world’s calories and 37% of total protein.’ https://ourworldindata.org/global-land-for-agriculture
Across Europe governments are, to a greater or lesser extent, aiming to reduce meat production on farms and meat consumption amongst populations. The Irish government for example, is looking to reduce its dairy herd by 65000 animals per year over the next three years. The Dutch government is planning to reduce its cattle numbers for 30% by 2030. The Climate Change Committee in the UK has recommended livestock cuts of 20-50% for beef and lamb, whilst at the same time recommending a 20% reduction on meat and dairy in the UK diet.
Reducing cattle numbers will free up more land for plant crops and so feed more people and/ or rewilding which will boost biodiversity.
Over the next few days I will be looking at easy ways of adapting to a more focused plant based diet.
For further info in farming, land use and biodiversity see
The Green Tau 