Sustainable livestock systems for high-production animals

Sustainable livestock systems for high-production animals are an ever growing need in a world with rising population levels, and significant environmental problems.  

Summary

With a projected global population of 9.7 billion people by 2050 (United Nations, 2019), the challenge to meet global food demands with a sustainable supply of animal proteins is quite evident.

There is a significant amount of literature documenting geographic heterogeneity in animal production, as well as in regards to population around the world. Currently, according to FAO’s global livestock environmental assessment model, the regions of East, South and South-East Asia produce a large amount of animal protein, similar to that produced by the Americas and Europe combined (approximately 29 and 33 million tonnes, respectively), while all other parts of the world produce approximately 13 million tonnes.

Animal protein production is based on different animal husbandry systems, all of which have significant environmental impacts. Some examples are: greenhouse gas emissions from animals and manure, air and water pollutants and high energy demands for food and feed production. This constitutes a major problem in the context of emerging planetary boundaries and sustainability thresholds, and it is necessary to think of ways in which such impacts associated with intensive and semi-extensive production systems can be reduced. Considering that these types of systems are likely to remain as a solid foundation for future production.

Existing productive systems have been progressively developed from the second half of the last century, mainly in Europe and North America. In these regions protein production levels have surpassed human demands to  certain extent. Reaching significant production increases within these regions, which has allowed to achieve greater greater food security  at relatively low economic costs with reasonable “quality” levels(organoleptic traits and nutritional content).

Food abundance, coupled with socio-economic development in certain population groups as well as the threats of adverse global climate change, have generated greater awareness towards animal welfare amongst these specific groups. As well as raising concerns regarding the environmental impacts associated with animal production.

These aspects have started to influence present government policies within different countries. With the aim of finding viable solutions at national and global levels, while guaranteeing food availability for the global population.

Environmental impacts can be mitigated by controlled changes in these production systems aiming to make them more sustainable. The intensification of …

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Source: Abstract taken from https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/animal/vol/16/issue/7