"Is Today's Beef Better for the Environment?" (NPR)
Lately, whenever we hear something related to the side
effects of beef production on the news, it usually has to do with the hazardous
effects of hormones and other beef farm practices on humans. This article,
however, brings to light a different side of the issue.
Farmers have been pressured to improve their cattle-raising
practices since the release of reports exposing the negative effects of
mass-produced beef on the human body. It causes digestion problems, heart
disease, and colon cancer, among other things. The article even touches on the
issue of the controversial use of hormones to yield more meat from one cow.
These things are being brought up to the general public, and people are taking
action to pressure farmers to adapt new ways of raising cattle.
What makes this article interesting is that it focuses on
the direct effects of beef production on the environment. While the
environmental impact does affect us all, it is not something that is usually
discussed directly. So while we may be winning the battle against those
hormone-crazy farmers, their practices, old and new, may still be causing major
problems for the environment.
According to the author, the biggest problem with mass
cattle raising today is the inevitable side bundle known as cow poop. We all
know about the debilitating effects of methane on the environment. Now just
imagine the damage a herd of about a hundred cows could do. Not only does it
smell awful, but there is also the fact that the massive amounts of waste
cannot be absorbed into the ground fast enough. The result is that some of it
ends up running off into our water supply. Though the exact effects of cow
manure on groundwater are unknown, some farmers have already taken steps to
move to drier areas where there is less effect on water supply.
Credit should be given to farmers who have taken an
initiative to make beef production both more human and environmentally
friendly. Though the steps are inconvenient, those who are taking action are
contributing towards environmental justice. There are still many unknowns in
this case, so it is difficult to say what will come out of it. Does the
ambiguity make the issue less pressing? Will there need to be a grassroots
movement to pressure the major companies who depend on these farmers to push
for investigation and stricter regulation? The EPA will be examining the issue
further in order to create better guidelines for mass animal raising. Hopefully
this does not turn out to be another Carver Terrace case.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/02/01/146231643/is-todays-beef-better-for-the-environment
It's great that the EPA is looking at new beef production regulations, but what about American-owned beef raised in countries outside of the EPA's jurisdiction? Many large beef producing corporations have some or all their herds in cleared sections of South American rainforests. One has to wonder if some kind of raised import tariff could- or even should- be placed on foreign beef to enforce environmentally friendly farming practices.
ReplyDeleteI find this article to be so potent because it expands the threat of unhealthy meat production practices from just those who have made the decision to eat meat (more specifically beef in this instance) to include those who do not eat beef. This, I feel, could aid in facilitating the movement towards creating more strict health regulations in the meat production industry. This article reveals that it is just not meat-eaters that are at harm, but any community near beef cattle ranches due to the potential for run-off in the water supply. This differs from the effects of The Jungle because it effects a much greater population.
ReplyDeleteI think something that should be highlighted in this article is the explanation of how farming techniques are detrimental to the health of the cattle, not just humans. They are given less living space, less food, and less water in the name of profit, not to mention the digestive problems they experience from eating corn.
This article reveals the inefficient and hazardous nature of cattle farming that is enough to convince me that it should be a thing of the past. The amount of grain that needs to be fed to a cow seems to be a waste to me. Even if vegetarianism isn't adopted by all, it seems that even just switching to chicken would be a more environmentally friendly choice.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete