Legal problems in sustainable livestock production as a way of mitigating climate change

Abstract

Agricultural activities, at the global level have a significant impact practically in all spheres of the environment and natural resources. Livestock is one of the economic sectors with more serious repercussions on the environment, at all levels, from local to global. In Corrientes, livestock represents one of the main activities. In this paper we address the problem of livestock production in the province of Corrientes and reflect about how the legal instruments that regulate this activity collaborate with mitigating climate change and promoting a sustainable livestock production. We use a qualitative, exploratory methodology, based on the observation of the phenomenon, accompanied by descriptions, measurements of public offices and comparative analysis. The techniques used were review and historical and contextual exploration of identified legal instruments and norms. First we address the issues from the national level, and then to focus on the particular provincial regulation. Finally, we were able to identify mechanisms or alternative policy instruments. This review allowed us to detect that there are specific rules in the field of streams referred to protected areas and forest natives to establish limits on livestock, in order to make compatible with the protection of the environment. However, these regulations do not give a definitive answer, not comprehensively address the problem of climate change and not respond to the strong pressures that international law demands. On the other hand the promotion of integrated livestock and private certification programs revalued the benefits that has the inclusion of trees in agro-ecological systems, mainly on carbon sequestration, but are not free of questioning.