And the award for the most polluting mammal goes to...

It will surprise most people to learn that 7% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, and 86% of these gases are directly released from the digestive systems of animals (mainly cow burping).

David Miliband, the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), recently commented on the speculation that German scientists have developed a food additive that will reduce these animal emissions. It seems that this new additive in pill form is not a myth. Mr. Miliband writes that the German work is at an early stage and any additives would need to be accepted by the EU before the large bolus (not a small pill!) can be fully developed.

Apparently UK scientists have been working on this problem for quite some time but no pill has been developed that does not created adverse side effects.

Miliband also writes that the three year research project began early [April] to develop nutrition regimes for cattle and sheep aimed specifically at reducing methane and nitrogen emissions.

DEFRA aims to build on existing knowledge and technology in close collaboration with the livestock industry in hopes to ensure that any new developments are adopted as soon as they are approved by the EU.

Why is the belching bovine phenomenon such an issue? In a perfect world, nature will produce an equilibrium level of cows (and other livestock); just enough to keep the methane emissions at a manageable level. However, we live in the time of the Big Mac and humans want meat. Overwhelming demand for meat is perpetuating an ever-growing beef industry. Breeding cattle above the level nature intended is causing a large increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Even though burping cows are expediting the effects of global warming, humans are still at the heart of the cause.