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About one-quarter of the world's total land area is used for grazing livestock. In addition, about one fifth of the world's arable land is used for growing cereals for livestock feed. Livestock production is the world's largest land user and may soon be its most important agricultural activity in terms of economic output. Livestock produce thirteen billion tons of waste each year. A large part of this is recycled but, where animal concentrations are high, waste poses an environmental hazard. Water, already scarce in many parts of the world, can he greatly affected by livestock production. Water is required not only for animals' drinking but to grow feed crops and for waste disposal. Pollution of land and water is another concern as is the impact by livestock, directly or indirectly, on biodiversity. Greenhouse gases, of which about 5-10 percent is produced by livestock and livestock waste, contribute to global warming. The interaction between livestock and the environment cannot be ignored but mythical misrepresentations must he overturned in favour of reality.
If, as a result of livestock production, forests are cut down, rivers become polluted or soil becomes overloaded with nitrates, it is not the animals who are the culprits. Livestock do not destroy the environment, people do. Ignorance, indifference and policies which misguide resource use are responsible for environmental degradation.
Individual livestock owners, particularly in developing countries, often have very few options. It is up to policy makers to ensure that these options are environmentally sound. This overview provides examples where livestock and environment interactions are particularly critical, i.e. environmental "hotspots".