Intensive livestock farming has negative consequences for the environment. It is characterised by high land and water consumption, pollutes soil and water and contributes to climate change with its emissions. Nevertheless, animal farming is expanding worldwide: The world's population is growing. The increasing prosperity in many emerging and developing countries is changing nutrition patterns.

Annual meat consumption has increased in recent decades. While the average annual global consumption in 2010 was 41,6 kilograms per capita, it already amounted to 42.8 kilograms in 2020.

Food supply quantity 2020, selected countries

	Poultry	Pig	Bovine	Other	Total
	kilogrammes per capita
Germany	18.3	44.0	14.6	1.8	78.7
France	23.0	31.0	20.8	3.5	78.3
China	15.6	35.5	6.8	4.2	62.1
India	2.6	0.2	1.1	0.6	4.5
Nigeria	1.2	1.5	1.6	2.8	7.1
United States	58.7	30.6	37.9	1.1	128.6
World	16.4	14.6	9.1	2.7	42.8

Poultry: chicken, duck, goose, guinea fowl, turkey. Other: mutton, goat and other. Source: FAO ("Food balances"/"Food Balances (2010-)")

Expansion of animal farming

In order to meet the demand for meat and other animal products, animal farming has increased significantly worldwide. In 2021, for example, around 25.9 billion chickens were kept globally. This was approximately 79% more than in 2001.

Animal farming: The most common animal types worldwide

	2001	2011	2021	2021, change on 2001
	billion			%
Chickens	14.4	29.4	25.9	+79.0
Cattles	1.3	1.4	1.5	+15.8
Sheep	1.0	1.1	1.3	+23.1
Ducks	1.0	1.1	1.1	+13.9
Goats	0.8	0.9	1.1	+44.1
Pigs	0.9	1.0	1.0	+10.6

Source: FAO ("Production"/"Crops and livestock products"/"Live Animals")

Meat production

Globally, approximatley 357.4 million tonnes of meat were produced in 2021. Poultry meat production almost doubled (+94 %).

Global meat production

	2001	2011	2021	2021, change on 2001
	carcass weight, million tonnes			%
Total	237.0	300,8	357,4	+51
including:
Poultry	71.3	103.4	138.0	+94
Pig	90.1	108.8	120.4	+34
Bovine	56.4	64.9	72.4	+28
Other	19.1	23,7	26,6	+39

Poultry: chicken, duck, goose, guinea fowl, turkey. Source: FAO ("Production"/"Crops and livestock products"/"Livestock Primary")

Alternatives to factory farming

There is an ongoing social debate about animal welfare. In the EU, according to Eurostat the proportion of cattle kept in a species-appropriate manner was very low.

Environmental impact of animal farming

Whether organic or conventional: According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) livestock farming now accounts for 78 % of the world’s agricultural land. The increasing expansion of arable and pasture land is destroying natural habitats and causing a reduction in biodiversity. Fertilizers and pesticides are further exacerbating the situation. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions resulting from livestock farming are an important factor driving climate change. According to the recently published UNEP study "Food system impacts on biodiversity loss" a more plant-based diet and a change in the way food is produced are necessary to effectively counteract these developments.

28.09.2023