A petition backing livestock production is gaining traction

Scientists are lining up to back livestock production globally as it comes under attack. Find out why they are backing farming.

Australian scientists are joining the growing list of researchers defending livestock production by signing a worldwide declaration.

The Dublin Declaration, which was created in October last year, now has 650 signatories, including some of Australia’s leading livestock research scientists who are publicly backing the role of livestock in feeding the world.

The declaration also urges policy makers to make decisions based on science.

The move comes as livestock producers both in Australia and globally come under fire for their production practices, with the declaration stressing the industry is “too precious to society to become the victim of simplification, reductionism or zealotry”.

It also defends livestock production’s sustainability credentials, noting “while the livestock sector faces several important challenges regarding natural resources utilisation and climate change that require action, one-size-fits-all agendas, such as drastic reductions of livestock numbers, could actually incur environmental problems on a large scale”.

Cattle Australia has backed the declaration and said it “makes clear what our producers already know – well-managed beef production systems have crucial roles in providing food and fibre in addition to delivering important environmental benefits”.

“The cattle industry is a proud custodian of nearly 80 per cent of Australia’s agricultural land and our industry clearly recognises its role in the sustainable management of that land,” a Cattle Australia spokesman said.

One of the local meat industry representatives that attended last year’s summit was Australian Meat Processor Corporation chief executive officer Chris Taylor who said discussions included the role of meat in:

– diet and health

– in a sustainable environment

– in society, economics and culture.

“The summit … set out to provide the science behind the role of meat and livestock systems on a global scale – but to also separate evidence-based discussion from ideology and policy making, and to really provide clarity – or clear the fog,” Mr Taylor said.

“The content presented was underpinned by over 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

“The overwhelming outcome was that the highest standards of science and research do not support the often reductionist approach taken by those trying to wage an ideological war against animal agriculture.”

Mr Taylor said the declaration provided a broad range of balanced scientific views and would go a long way towards publicising and promoting what the science says.

The Journal of The American Society of Animal Science will publish the full outcomes and the research presented at the summit in April.