Regarding what would happen to all the animals-you realise don't you that the domesticated farm animals are not on this planet in natural numbers? We have put the current balance in place, and yes, once we used up the supply as is and stopped breeding for meat that would change.
Sheep survive in nature in suitable areas, I am sure that almost all other animals would survive in pockets. But I am not sure that they would entirely do well because they are so far from their natural forms now-things like chickens that is.
This is an interesting thread, as I have never heard the argument that vegan is more sustainable. I am not vegan, but eat mostly raw fruits and veggies. I do eat free range chicken and bison. It is interesting to me that most free-ranged animals provide healthier meat. I do not believe conventional farming practices are healthy. It seems like each time man tries to intervene with nature, it causes pollution and disease. I would like to see the whole world go organic. I would also love to see the water less polluted so we could eat fish without a concern of mercury. Currently the US has recommended limits on fish consumption due to mercury levels in fish. Why do we do this to our world? Something has to change soon.
Another point that I think is worth sharing is that there are many places in scripture that mention food and eating. If followed they are healthier than traditional diets.
As far as sustainability, there is more than enough food to go around currently. Many countries including mine have laws in place to limit the amount of food grown. Distribution is the problem.
In the US, the subsidy payments to farmers to keep them from farming are part of the Conservation Reserve Program. It was established in 1985 and it is still in effect.
The Environmental Work Group (EWG) has information about who gets the subsidies here: EWG || Farm Subsidy Database
It started as a "conservation program," for problem soil or land. It has gotten out of hand in my opinion because much of the land receiving payment isn't problem land. There have been news stories about farmers receiving subsidy payments for years after they have passed away. Another story I've seen recently was about a man that had done construction all his life. He just happened to buy a house with land that had been farmed in the past and the government provided him with subsidy, over $1000 per month, not to farm it.
You can also google farmer subsidies to read more.
That is very upsetting about the farm subsidies programs being abused.
It is important to let the land lay fallow, that is the purpose of the subsidies. But I can see how it can be easily abused.
As for veganism being more sustainable, I think that is a resounding yes. It's amazing how much food goes to waste in the US, while we have people starving here. So much food, rotted in storage facilities. It's horrible and disgusting.
And the fact that a McDonald's burger costs less than an organic apple disgusts me. Just think all that goes in to that burger: meat and additives, flour and additives for the bun, processing, energy expended during shipment and preparation. But it's cheaper.
"Abuse" is an interesting term to describe the farm subsidies. From the explanation that I gave above, I can see that someone reading about the program might interpret it as abuse by a few farmers.
My issue with the subsidy program is that it is so wide-spread. It isn't just a farm here or there. It is many, many farmers. I remember in 1988, talking with so many farmers that literally walked away from farming their land because the government was willing to pay them not to farm it. True, it probably isn't their most fertile land, but they would have to work it to get it to produce before subsidies. Now, there is no motivation.
If there were ever truly a food shortage, shutting down these subsidies would certainly see an increase in production.
Regarding the cost of organics, I never understood it. Why is brown rice-unprocessed-more expensive than the processed white rice? Production costs must be cheaper.
Cost of Organic stuff is more when compared to the normal other stuff found in the market, the only reason I feel is that it might be more pure form with no chemicals used.
The higher costs of organics is understandable, because with the lack of chemicals, crop yields are smaller. However you are right-there is no sense in the fact that processed white rice costs less than brown, and that wheat flour is more pricey than white which costs more to mill.
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