Impacts on humanityAlthough about 1 billion poor people worldwide derive at least some part of their livelihood from domesticated
animals, the rapid growth of commercialized industrial livestock has reduced employment opportunities for many, according to the report. In developing countries, such as
India and
China, large-scale industrial production has displaced many small, rural producers, who are under additional pressure from
health authorities to meet the
food safety standards that a globalized marketplace requires.Beef, poultry, pork and other meat products provide one-third of humanity's protein intake, but the impact on nutrition across the globe is highly variable, according to the report. "Too much animal-based protein is not good for human
diets, while too little is a problem for those on a protein-starved diet, as happens in many developing countries," Mooney noted.While overconsumption of animal-source foods – particularly meat, milk and eggs – has been linked to heart disease and other chronic conditions, these foods remain a vital source of protein and nutrient nutrition throughout the developing world, the report said. The authors cited a recent study of Kenyan
children that found a positive association between meat intake and physical growth, cognitive function and school performance.Human health also is affected by pathogens and harmful substances transmitted by livestock, the authors said. Emerging diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, are closely linked to changes in the livestock production but are more difficult to trace and combat in the newly globalized marketplace, they said. Environmental impactsThe livestock sector is a major environmental polluter, the authors said, noting that much of the world's pastureland has been degraded by grazing or feed production, and that many
forests have been clear-cut to make way for additional farmland. Feed production also requires intensive use of water, fertilizer, pesticides and f ...
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