Soy under the spotlight7 April 2011
The Government has committed to "play its part" in reducing the impact of meat and dairy farming on the planet.
Farming Minister, Jim Paice, made the pledge at an event organised by Friends of the Earth on 30 March.
Following last year's Sustainable Livestock Bill, the event drew together experts from farming, academia, retail and campaigning organisations.
They were there to discuss how to curb the damaging effects of soy and reduce climate changing emissions from livestock farming.
Next steps
Jim Paice said the Government would consider any recommendations from the assembled experts.
He also promised a progress report in 12 months time.
Continuing destruction
But while the Government wakes up to the issue, forests and wildlife are still being destroyed in South America to grow animal feed for Europe's factory farms.
This is having a devastating effect on communities, where the expansion of soy can cause:
- displacement of local people
- rural unemployment
- impacts on human health
The Government must ensure much more is done to halt these damaging effects and ensure a planet-friendly future for farming.
Fixing the food chain
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
- Incentives for European farmers to grow their own animal feed
- An end to support for factory-style farming that relies on soy from South America
- Support for different types of meat and dairy farming, including grazing animals
Read more about our Food Chain campaign.
© Friends of the Earth
