Livestock are part of the solution
Currently there are five people per head of cattle on earth. Uruguay having the most cows per person, followed by New Zealand with 10.07 million cattle to a population of just 4.78 million.
Brazil had 194.3 million cattle in 2023, making it the second highest producer of cattle in the world.
China and Brazil between them produce 53 per cent of the world’s beef cattle, the remaining 41 per cent are divided between countries like Australia, USA, Mexico and Europe.
India has 305.5 million cattle against a population of 1 billion 366.4 million, and despite the Indian Government’s ban on the slaughter of cattle, Indians eat more beef per head than most other countries.
Here in the UK, there are currently around 9.5 million cattle of which 1.45m are beef cattle, a number which is steadily declining. This against the ‘official’ population of 67 million.
UK cattle numbers compared with those above are insignificant and considering most are extensively reared, do we really need to listen to those insisting we should reduce the numbers of the national herd?
We should remind those pressing to exterminate all our cattle that farmers and their livestock are part of the environmental solution, not the problem.
The UK is so densely populated; its natural environment and quality of life are paying a heavy price. We are now known as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. With no apparent end to the population growth, pressure on wildlife, housing, public services, and resources will continue to grow.
In 1950, the population was 50 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) projects that it will pass 70 million in 2035. Despite its relatively small land area, the UK is on track to be the largest nation in Europe by the second half of this century, a seriously shocking statistic. Can the country really sustain this population growth?
As our population becomes increasingly obese, elderly, unhealthy and crime ridden the pressure on the NHS which is already struggling due to repeated strike action by junior doctors and others, it is difficult to see when, if ever, normal service will resume.
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