Australian scientists look to curb livestock pollution

Updated February 25, 2009 19:44:00

Audio: Millions for methane mitigation research (AM)

Picture the scene: fat cattle and sheep contentedly grazing in a paddock of lush grass.

But the bucolic beauty is also a recipe for pollution.

Australia's 120 million sheep, cattle and goats are the nation's third largest emitters of greenhouse gases and the race is on to curb their fug of methane emissions.

So how do you get farm livestock to emit less gas - after all the methane is produced as the animals digest their food?

Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke is on the case and is putting up $26 million to fund research projects to search out an answer.

"There's a few different lines that the research is going down, some of it goes to different feed options, some of goes to breeding, to see if there can be different breeding methods that will produce animals that will emit less through the mouth," he said.

"Finally there's also some work being done as to whether there can be bacteria that's actually put into the stomachs of these animals, that then reduces the methane that comes through their mouth."

While Australia has a small population of the world's livestock, Mr Burke says the research into their gas is a world first.

"We're certainly at the cutting edge of research for the world on this, this would be from what we've been able to tell, the most comprehensive study in this area that's been done," he said.

"In terms of the rest of the world we would be the world leader. But given how important this is as an export industry for Australia, we want to make sure that we can be part of the solution and also make sure that we continue to have good access to those export markets."

Consumer costs

However cutting down on animal gas may not come cheap and Mr Burke is not denying that the costs could be passed on to consumers.

"As with everything related to climate change, the Government doesn't pretend there are no costs involved," he said.

"There are, the reality is though, the alternative costs more.

"And whatever costs there are associated with action, inaction is a whole lot more expensive."

But Mr Burke says it is hoped that the research will make a significant reduction in animal emissions, without taking a toll on steak lovers.

"Those questions are better answered by the scientists. We've provided them with the research dollars, they can find out the answer as effectively as possible," he said.

"But the objective is we want to be able to keep producing, we want people to be able to continue to get their steaks and be able to have an absolutely minimal impact on price.

"The scientists are now off to work to see how well we can achieve that."

Based on a report by Alexandra Kirk for AM, February 25.

Topics: air-pollution, climate-change, federal-government, livestock, sustainable-and-alternative-farming, science-and-technology, australia

First posted February 25, 2009 18:41:00