Assessing and monitoring environmental impact and sustainability of animal production
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UNCED in 1992 marked a shift in economic and political thinking. Sustainable use of natural resources has become an increasingly important and challenging issue in planning and governance. In this context, one of the most relevant sectors is agriculture, including animal production. This is characterised by great variability and complexity, because it is highly dependent on natural prerequisites for land-use such as climate, landforms, hydrology, soils, and biodiversity of flora and fauna, as we ll as social and economic conditions. The effects of a particular livestock production system on the environment cannot be viewed in isolation. Firstly, they have to be seen within the wider economic and institutional setting. The operational rules for a subsistence economy differ substantially from those for a market-oriented one with a high dependency on external inputs and services. The structure and functioning of institutions to govern economic and social processes are closely linked t o the state of economic development. This is especially true for land-use rights. Secondly, animal production is strongly influenced by socio-cultural factors such as division of labour according to gender, differences in access to resources by individuals and groups, household and local-level decision-making, and food preferences. Thirdly, animal production depends on agro-ecological conditions. This refers not only to natural conditions, such as climate, soil, topography, or flora an d fauna, but also to land improvement such as terracing or drainage. The natural properties and human activities (including animal husbandry) determine land quality. In assessing environmental impact and sustainability, evaluation of land quality is one of the most important tasks.