(Australia)Vaccine to stop livestock animals burping

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I heard a discussion on ABC radio about the development of a new vaccine to

stop

farm animals burping. Please find the source of the information about

this topic below. The aim of the venture is to reduce

greenhouse gases. It seemed so bizzare because the obvious

solution to the whole mess is for people to stop breeding these animals for

meat etc.

Marguerite

(vegetarian)

 

Blocking burping beasts

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s310139.htm

Monday, 11 June 2001

 

 

CSIRO staff with vaccinated sheep

In a world first, Australian scientists are planning to vaccinate three

million livestock against burping a harmful greenhouse gas into the

atmosphere.

 

So far more than 600,000 sheep and 400,000 cattle have been signed on to

take part in the program, which should reduce by one fifth the amount of

methane gas the animals release.

 

Methane from livestock accounts for 14 per cent of Australia's total

greenhouse gas emissions and its contribution to global warming is around 21

times more potent than carbon dioxide.

 

Contrary to popular belief, only around two per cent of the gas comes from

livestock flatulence. The rest is produced when the animals burp, says Dr

Rob Kelly of CSIRO Livestock Industries, the co-ordinator of the program.

 

The vaccine will target ancient organisms in the animals' digestive tract

which generate methane by breaking down feed.

 

The goal is to have a million cattle and two million sheep immunised every

year from 2005 to 2012.

 

Trials over the last three years have shown no harmful effects of the

vaccine. In fact, it may result in modest improvements in their weight and

productivity through more efficient digestion.

 

The CSIRO is seeking funding from the Australian Greenhouse Office towards

the $25 million cost of the program.

 

 

ABC - Science Online