Fears for environment in Spain as pigs outnumber people

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Fears for environment in Spain as pigs outnumber people

Official figures show there are 50m pigs to 46.5m humans in country famed for its pork

Stephen Burgen in Barcelona
Sun 19 Aug 2018 13.04 BST

Spain’s pigs outnumber the human population for the first time, according to figures released by the country’s environment ministry, which reveal there are now 50 million pigs, 3.5 -million more than humans

The figures show an increase of about 9 million animals since 2013 and there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of an industry that produced more than 4m tonnes of pork products and generated €6bn (£5.4bn) last year.

The soaring pig population is a key factor in making livestock the fourth-largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions after transport, electricity generation and industry.

Pig farming also consumes vast quantities of water in a country frequently affected by drought. With each pig consuming 15 litres a day, altogether the industry uses more water than the cities of Zaragoza, Seville and Alicante combined. Nitrates from the animals’ waste products are also beginning to contaminate ground water, environmentalists say.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/19/fears-environment-spain-pigs-outnumber-humans-pork-industry

[vlyons]

1. Do Spaniards eat that much pork

This is an easy problem to solve. Breed fewer pigs.

[elfin]

2. iberian ham is a hugely profitable export I believe

Very expensive. Never had it, but supposedly delicious beyond belief.

[bitterross]

3. Sounds like DC