Livestock Farming in UK has been very much in existence. Primarily, livestock farming includes rearing of pigs, cattle, sheep and chickens.
Livestock farming leads to production of multiple goods viz. meat, milk and eggs for human consumption. With the presence of two types of livestock farming viz. intensive livestock farming and organic livestock farming.
Intensive Livestock farming or factory farming means livestock is reared on a commercial basis. The entire livestock farming property could resemble a factory. The livestock so reared are confined in one place with restricted movement – both indoors as well as outdoors.
Intensive Livestock farming gained worldwide acceptance because it enabled mass production of meat in order to meet the increasing demand of meat. This mass production in a way led to reduction in meat prices and thereby cost of living in most meat eating countries. Though popular, there have been studies and researches which highlight its negative features which are -
Use of artificial supplements to maintain health
Restriction of animal movement which leads to poor health
There is ... an organic affinity between joyousness and tenderness, and their companionship in the saintly life need in no way occasion surprise.
—William James (1842–1910)
Possibility of diseases being transmitted from animals to human beings
Issue of Environmental Degradation
Intensive farming controversies and debates have led to emergence of organic livestock farming. Organic livestock farming is nearly the best alternate to intensive livestock farming as its distinctive features include
Use of organically developed feed and fodder
Use of natural solutions to tackle pest and weed related issues
No genetically modified organisms will be fed to the livestock
The livestock reared under organic farming is fed on organic food and allowed to roam within the farm boundaries. Though organic farming is expensive to maintain and sustain, it is environment friendly. It does provide quality toxin-free and healthier meat for human consumption.
A committee is organic rather than mechanical in its nature: it is not a structure but a plant. It takes root and grows, it flowers, wilts, and dies, scattering the seed from which other committees will bloom in their turn.
—C. Northcote Parkinson (1909–1993)
Livestock is also allowed to roam around the farm and graze on organic foods. The quality of livestock so reared is better as compared to those in intensive livestock farming. Organic farming is expensive to maintain and fed with good quality of food. Though it does not yield the mass quantities of products, the quality is far more superior.
Increasing preference of organic farming is gaining momentum, though the cost factor is the main hindering factor. The increase in demand can be ascertained by people preferring and demanding organic products and meat. This move could encourage shopkeepers to stock organic meat and related products.
Livestock farming offers farmers to earn through multiple products. The choice of type of livestock farming depends upon individual choice and earning capacity. Environment sustenance is important but it becomes equally crucial to cater to increasing food demands of the population across which reiterate the importance of intensive livestock farming.
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