With Sir David Attenborough becoming a patron of the Optimum Population Trust, attention is finally being focussed on the previously taboo subject of over-population. Alongside human population, politicians should also be looking at the population of farmed animals which is growing at an alarming rate.
World meat production has quadrupled in the past 50 years and livestock now outnumber people by more than 3 to 1.1 The UN’s 2006 report “Livestock’s Long Shadow” recommended an immediate halving of the world's livestock numbers, in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. A typical European omnivorous diet requires 5 times the amount of land required for a varied vegan diet.2
When UN food agencies join G8 agriculture ministers in Treviso this week, the Vegan Organic Network is calling for support for non-animal-based agriculture. The Network promotes truly sustainable ways of growing food and aims to set up a demonstration site and education centre to encourage the increasing number of farmers, growers and gardeners interested in stockfree techniques.
For further information, see: www.veganorganic.net www.stockfreeorganic.net
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Founded in 1996, the Vegan-Organic Network is an ambitious charity with an international network of active supporters. It aims to research and promote vegan-organic (stockfree) methods of agriculture and horticulture so that clean, green, cruelty-free food becomes widely available.
It publishes a magazine “Growing Green International” and advice leaflets. There is also a free advice service for members of the public, home growers, smallholders and farmers. The Network organises farm walks, allotment and garden visits and volunteer placements on stockfree holdings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Ford – Press Officer
01584 872224
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
22 April 2009 ref. S1012
