“Intensive farming a threat to biodiversity”

Published 28/11/2013

A survey carried out for the European Commission has shown that people across Europe are well aware of the effect intensive farming is having on biodiversity.

We welcome the results of the Eurobarometer survey, which show 94% of EU citizens consider intensive farming, along with over-fishing and deforestation, to be a threat to biodiversity.

Compassion’s CEO, Philip Lymbery, says: “It is heartening to hear that the overwhelming majority of Europe’s citizens recognise the serious threat factory farming poses to the biodiversity of our planet.

“Without biodiversity in ecosystems, the ability of future generations to feed themselves is seriously compromised. That is why we need a food and farming revolution now. The current food system is broken and unsustainable. The argument that we can simply intensify production to feed our growing population is nonsensical.”

Industrial farming does not just affect the ecosystem in the area surrounding individual farms. Soya used to feed industrially-reared livestock drives deforestation in places which have ecosystems vital to the planet, such as the Amazon Rainforest, where trees are cleared to make way for soya plants.

Philip adds: “We need action to ensure we are able to feed the world’s growing population in a sustainable way and that means without destroying the delicate ecosystems that our food system is built on.

“A start would be to stop feeding huge quantities of soya to animals, make sure ruminants such as cattle are raised on the fields not in sheds and feed appropriately treated food waste to pigs and poultry, nature’s natural recyclers.”