During the coming decades changes in the global climate are likely to influence agriculture, including meat production, and may cause a shift in crop production and grazing areas. Regional contamination of soils and feed with heavy metals and organic chemicals, as well as radioactive contamination, might limit animal husbandry to certain regions. Conversely, meat production has a great impact on the environment, its effects ranging from destruction of vegetation and desertification in dry or cold regions to pollution of soil and water by manure in areas with intensive animal husbandry. A more environmentally sound animal husbandry should be promoted, but such a policy will in the immediate future raise conflicts about what is economically feasible and environmentally safe.
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