Recently, we have observed a significant radicalization of discussions on the social role of animal production. The arguments are not considered on a scientific basis, but rather shifted to social communication channels, where selective arguments are used and stereotypes repeated. Animal production is portrayed as unequivocally evil, unnecessary, negatively impacting the climate, consuming vast amounts of water, and contributing to environmental pollution. Additionally, the thesis of very poor conditions for livestock, pervasive stress, and resulting diseases is commonly presented. All farms with animal production are „lumped together” and treated the same.
In our opinion, the truth is quite different, so we have prepared a set of information that will present arguments and demystify many myths in common circulation. We invite you to read!
How much water is used in beef production?
One of the most popular myths, raised in the context of beef production, is its „water consumption” or the amount of water needed to produce one kilogram of beef. In the case of beef, it is often falsely claimed that this is 15,000 liters per kilogram. Discussions on water use should begin with a reminder of the often overlooked division of drinking water into blue water and green water. Green water is rainwater, and blue water is from rivers, lakes, and water bodies (used for supplying cities with drinking water). What water is used in cattle breeding? 94% is green water and only 3% blue. The actual consumption is therefore about 500 liters of water per 1 kilogram of beef.
What emissions does cattle breeding cause?
The high harmfulness of animal production to the environment is another popular myth. Meanwhile, livestock cattle account for 7.2% of CO2 emissions in the EU, while the global average is 14.5%. These data clearly show that sustainable animal production in the EU is less emissive than the global average. Reducing cattle breeding in the European Union could potentially lead to its increase in third countries and transfer emissions to countries where restrictive EU environmental and welfare regulations do not apply. It is also important to remember that cattle breeders in the EU are pioneers in implementing innovative breeding techniques aimed at increasing production efficiency and reducing emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Does cattle grazing limit the possibility of crop cultivation?
The common myth is that animal breeding takes away valuable land that could be used for crops intended for direct human consumption. However, cattle grazing and crop production are not competitive forms of land use. The areas where cattle graze often have poor soil quality and are unsuitable for crop cultivation. Many pastures are located in dry or semi-dry areas, lacking sufficient water for agricultural irrigation. Cattle can survive in these areas because they can consume forage with a lower water content. Meanwhile, mountainous or steeply sloping areas are often impossible to plow and cultivate, but can be useful as pastures for cattle, which can move on uneven terrain.
Polish breeders lead in the EU In the European Union.
Poland leads in providing animals with conditions better than the minimum standard. By introducing breeding practices that go beyond the appropriate mandatory norms, animals are given the opportunity to meet their behavioral needs, thereby improving their well-being and health. This also helps to prevent aggression between animals and mutual mutilation.
In 2022, nearly 50,000 farms raising cattle benefited from compensation totaling 362 million PLN under the Welfare+ program. Meanwhile, in the Strategic Plan 2023-2027, Poland allocated over 1.4 billion euros for animal welfare.
How will Polish breeders improve animal welfare?
Support will be provided to farmers for investments in animal welfare that go beyond the appropriate minimum norms resulting from universally applicable law and commonly used practices. Polish farmers, in the context of improving cattle welfare, will:
- Increase the living space for animals by 20 or 50%,
- Ensure access to pasture for a minimum of 4 months a year,
- Provide year-round access to outdoor runs.
Thanks to these investments, animals will have:
- Access to the outside environment through the use of runs or pasture,
- An appropriate microclimate in livestock buildings improving their health and eliminating thermal stress.
Improving animal welfare will positively impact production results and the quality of products obtained from these animals, and consequently human health. Such investments will also contribute to environmental and climate protection.
What is the Polish Sustainable Beef Platform (PPZW)?
The Platform is an agreement of organizations and entities focusing on the sustainable development of European beef from farm to table. PPZW unites and coordinates sustainable development programs around a common agenda to ensure a measurable and positive impact on the beef value chain. We operate in accordance with the principles of the European Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (ERSB) and other important international organizations. We believe that we can achieve a state where all aspects of the beef value chain are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable. Our goals are:
- Mortality rates below 1.5% (for systems showing mortality rates above this goal, a reduction of 20% year-over-year is required).
- Rearing all animals without confinement (for animals kept in buildings) available from 2030.
- Administering pain relief (anesthetics) to all animals for all surgical procedures and all forms of castration, horn removal, and horn bud
- removal.
- Reducing the number of serious accidents on farms and the number of fatal accidents, with the overall goal of reducing them to zero.
- Limiting the use of antibiotics below 10mg/PCU and reducing by 50% the use of critically important and highest priority antibiotics (HP-CIAs).
- Improving cattle genetics.
Sustainable agriculture – the role of the beef sector.
A topic often raised in the discussion of the development of the beef production sector is its impact on biodiversity, the environment, and climate. Repeatedly published information refers to processes such as land use change, greenhouse gas emissions, increased water demand, environmental pollution, and loss of biological diversity. All these comments cast animal breeding in a bad light. However, as some point out, the problem lies not so much in the animals themselves, but rather in the way they are integrated into food production systems and how production is managed.
The above information represents only one side of the approach. On the other hand, according to the World Bank: „The livestock sector is a pillar of the global food system and contributes to poverty reduction, food security, and agricultural development. According to FAO, livestock accounts for 40% of the global value of agricultural production and supports the livelihoods and food and nutritional security of nearly 1.3 billion people. At the same time, there are broad opportunities to improve practices in the livestock sector so that they are more sustainable, equitable, and pose less risk to the health of animals and humans.”