The environmental impact of poultry production

Abstract

The main aim of the animal production is to produce animal proteins of high value in a sustainable manner. However, sustainability is not easy to define. It is a complex phenomenon, which includes integration of economic, social, and environmental dimensions of the certain production, within a given socio-economic context. In this respect, poultry production meets first two dimensions - it provides affordable dietary item for consumers and profit for producers. It additionally generates up and downstream investment opportunities and it contributes to the development of the local economy. However, with the concentration of poultry production and increase in operation size, considerable environmental problems have occurred. During the last several decades, the environmental impact of the poultry production has received an ever-growing attention. Nowadays, producers are under heavy pressure, from different fronts, to minimize the impact of their production on the environment and to adopt welfare friendly practices. The major challenges, which will affect animal production in the future, will likely deal with the environment. In this paper, the environmental impact of poultry production and the differences in this respect between the different production systems are presented.

Global poultry production: Current impact and future outlook on the South African poultry industry

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“…The environmental impact of poultry production depends on numerous factors, among which are farm size, production system, diet composition, type of bedding used, etc. (Rodic, Peric, Stojcic, & Vukelic, 2011). Poultry operation generates odor and attracts disease transmitting vector such as files, rodents and pest.…”

Cross-sectional survey on environmental pollution surrounding poultry production cluster area

“…As a result, the poultry farm is a source of the smell and attracts flies, rats and other pests that create local disturbances. However, Rodić et al (2011) pointed out that poultry industry will not threaten the environment only if both economically and environmentally acceptable management practices are applied. Gerber et al (2007) stated that the development of PPC would increase waste, especially from poultry pen, which cannot be managed by land disposal and cause environmental problems…”