Estimating Environmental Impact from Poultry Production in Brazil Using LCA

Rapid increase in poultry production has occurred in South Brazil, due to the development of vertically integrated production systems. Environmental degradation has become a major concern because of the excessive amounts of animal wastes produced by the poultry industry, in combination with intensive pig production in the same region. Previous studies examined some of the environmental impacts and identified that the lack of appropriate waste treatment systems and limited availability of cropland, has forced farmers to dispose of large quantities of manure onto small areas, causing nutrient surpluses and pollution of ground and surface water. Offensive odours, dust, and an increase in blackflies (Simulium sp) population are also causing concern. However none of the past studies focused on quantification of the environmental impact at the global level and this is the first study using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to examine the impact of poultry production. The study selected nine impact categories and concluded that the environmental hotspots in poultry production are methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides emissions, which are important contributors to greenhouse gases, as well as eutrophication from the release of phosphate and nitrogen, as well as acidification from nitrates. There is an adverse effect on ecosystem quality from the use of pesticides in the production of soybeans and maize, the major components of poultry rations. Other important environmental burdens flow from the use of fossil fuels for transport of materials and animals, and in processing. Some alternatives for minimising the environmental impact of poultry production are discussed.