Although the meaning of sustainability has been subjected to a variety of interpretations, the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA) points out that it is critical to understand that sustainability is a continuous journey, rather than a destination.
“For farmers and ranchers, sustainability is more than a buzzword. It is a promise to future generations that they will care for the land, air, water and livestock by producing safe and nutritious animal protein while balancing economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship,” says the most recent edition of the AAA’s Sustainability Impact Report.
U.S. farmers’ and ranchers’ world-leading sustainability efforts, including the U.S. pork community’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030, the U.S. beef community’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, and the U.S. dairy community’s commitment to achieve GHG neutrality by 2050, are among the significant contributions highlighted in the most recent edition of the report.
Source: AAA Sustainability Impact Report/Pork Checkoff
“The topic of responsible and sustainable animal agriculture has received a lot of attention in recent years, but these concepts are nothing new to the American farmer. Given the rise of social media and increased interest in food production by consumers, the people asking questions about sustainability are not just neighbors, friends and relatives, but include audiences around the world,” the report says. “This puts animal agriculture under increased scrutiny and means farmers have to put far more emphasis on the social side of sustainability than ever before - but it also provides an opportunity for farmers to showcase how they are part of the sustainability solution!”
The report provides the latest data on the nutritional benefits of meat, milk, poultry and eggs while detailing U.S. animal agriculture’s achievements in modern environmental stewardship, animal care, judicious antibiotic use and food safety. These achievements contribute to reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, authors say.
Source: AAA Sustainability Impact Report/Pork Checkoff
“Farming and ranching provide the food, fuel and fiber that millions of families around the world depend on,” says Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president, strategic engagement and incoming president and CEO, in a release. “This Earth Day, we are taking stock of the animal agriculture community’s remarkable sustainability achievements and our ambitious commitments for the future. The Sustainability Impact Report clearly demonstrates the unique nutrition and food security benefits of meat, milk, poultry, and eggs and the success of efforts to continuously improve animal agriculture’s contributions to a healthy environment.”
Report highlights include:
- The U.S. pork community reduced land use by 76% and water use by 25% from 1960 to 2015, producing more pork today with a smaller carbon footprint per pound.
- Nutrient-dense animal proteins are low-calorie and critical sources of essential nutrients. One 3-ounce serving of lean beef takes up less than 10% of a healthy daily calorie allowance while delivering half the daily protein recommended for adults.
- The U.S. dairy community supplies the protein requirements of more than half the U.S. population and the calcium requirements of 77% of Americans.
Source: AAA Sustainability Impact Report, Pork Checkoff
Furthering these contributions and achievements, the Animal Agriculture Alliance and organizations across animal agriculture also partner through the Protein PACT, the largest-ever effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment.
For more information, including resources and to read the full report, click here.
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