Livestock production in the United States is more efficient (more “industrial”) than developing countries, and the amount of water needed to produce a pound of red meat is less. There is a trade-off, however, in the use of antibiotics and pesticides, due to the crowded conditions of industrial meat production.
According to the USDA, and its Council on Agricultural Science & Technology, and the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, “the population of the planet is predicted to grow from 7 billion to 9.1 billion and income per capita is predicted to rise by 150% by 2050.” Therefore, demand for red meat is projected to grow substantially.
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Since the demand for meat, eggs and dairy is expected to double by 2050, at current rates this is not sustainable. According to the German organization “PETA”
https://www.peta.org/videos/meat-wastes-water/ “Nearly half of all the water used in the United States goes toward raising animals for food.” Their research indicates that “It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce just 1 pound of meat. Only 25 gallons of water are required to grow 1 pound of wheat. You can save more water by not eating a pound of meat than you can by not showering for six months!”
The issues relating to water quality, feedstock agriculture and red meat production are vast challenges for the future.
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