‘Aporkalypse’ now: Spain warns of environment woes after pigs outnumber people
Animals drink 15 litres of water a day and the industry uses more water than Zaragoza, Seville and Alicante combined in a country known for droughts
There are more pigs in Spain than humans for the first time, according to figures released by the country’s environment ministry, with 50 million pigs to 46.5 million humans.
The figures show an increase of about 9 million animals since 2013 and there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of an industry that produced more than 4 million tonnes of pork products and generated €6 billion (US$6.8 billion) last year.
The soaring pig population is a key factor in making livestock the fourth-largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions after transport, electricity generation and industry.
The industry also consumes vast quantities of water in a country frequently affected by drought. With each pig drinking 15 litres a day, altogether the industry uses more water than the cities of Zaragoza, Seville and Alicante combined. Nitrates from the animals’ waste products are also beginning to contaminate groundwater, environmentalists say.
There have been strikes at several abattoirs over poor working conditions. Many workers in the sector are recent immigrants who are mainly Muslims who do not eat pork.