Environmental assessment of plant protection strategies using scenarios for pig feed production

Ambio. 2005 Jun;34(4-5):408-13. doi: 10.1639/0044-7447(2005)034[0408:eaopps]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

Two scenarios for future pig meat production were constructed. The first was a "business as usual" scenario, where the pig feed was based on domestic grain and imported soy-meal, and no efforts were made to reduce pesticide use. The second scenario had a strong environmental focus, and both peas and rapeseed were grown at pig-farm level to produce grain and protein feed. Preventive measures, such as a more diverse crop rotation and mechanical weed control, were combined to reduce pesticide use. The two scenarios were environmentally assessed by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and a pesticide risk indicator model (PRI-Farm). The results showed environmentally sound possibilities to reduce pesticide dependency and risks by using altered plant protection strategies in pig-feed production. Organizing on-farm feed production so that protein feed crops are integrated with grain crops contributes to a more diverse crop rotation.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods*
  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Environment
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control*
  • Meat*
  • Pesticides / toxicity*
  • Plants, Edible*
  • Swine

Substances

  • Pesticides