DEFORESTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVESTOCK

Early day motion 194, tabled 24 November 2009 by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 205 members.

That this House notes that global livestock and animal feed production contributes 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions and is currently the most significant driver of biodiversity loss worldwide; further notes that the large-scale conversion of forests and other valuable habitats into croplands for the production of animal feeds such as soy for intensive livestock farming is a cause of particular concern; recognises the associated impacts on small farmers and communities in developing countries who are often forced off their land; urges the Government to undertake an assessment of the scale and impact of this trend and the UK's role in it, and to gauge whether the UK's livestock industry has become overly dependent on soy-based animal feed which has such an unwelcome and unsustainable impact upon the environment; and calls on the Government to bring forward the measures necessary to reduce the UK's impact on global greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss from the livestock sector whilst avoiding the export of these impacts overseas and supporting a viable, sustainable and thriving UK farming industry.

Signatures by party: Labour 120, Liberal Democrat 52, Conservative 19, Scottish National Party 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Independent Labour 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.