Livestock farming has a vast environmental footprint. However, there is contention over whether reducing the consumption of animal products should be implemented worldwide. I believe that eating animal products should be prohibited as this will decrease contribution to land and water degradation, and also may have a positive impact on people`s health.
First of all, the production of meat is related to such environmental impacts as deforestation, global warming, and water pollution. For instance, livestock farming contributes 18% of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This is more than all emissions from ships, planes, trucks, and other transport put together. The scale of the problem can be seen also in land use: around 30% of the earth`s land surface is used for livestock farming. Since food, water, and land are scarce in many parts of the world, this represents an inefficient use of resources. Hence, banning eating meat is essential if we are to meet global greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and want to combat climate change in the nearest future.
Another point to consider is that high meat consumption (especially of red and processed mead) is linked with poor health outcomes, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various cancers. These diseases which represent a major portion of the global disease burden may be prevented by reducing animal-based food in daily nutrition. Thus, switching to a more plant-based diet could save numerous lives and lead to healthcare-related savings. At the same time, according to a recent survey, the average meat intake for someone living in high-income countries is three times higher than the recommended amount by the United Nations. Even if a person cannot completely get rid of the habit of eating meat, there are excellent plant-based substitutes, which are no different from the real ones. Thus, the less meat is consumed, the better overall health outcomes could be achieved.
In conclusion, I would argue that producing and consuming should be forbidden because this approach may reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and, as a result, may prevent further global warming, and offer substantial public health benefits.