At the same time, the amount of forest land converted for purposes of grazing actually declined during the same period. There is no shortage of land in the U.S. for production of crops of various types. Most of the forestland conversion has been for crop and timber production, with grazing a residual use insome instances. The U.S. imports no fresh beef from South America. Avoiding U.S. fast food hamburgers or other beef will do nothing to halt rainforest destruction.
Imports represent only a small part of U.S. beef consumption.
The Bungle in the Jungle, National Cattlemen, June 1990. Environmental Implications of Beef Production, 1990. Agricultural Economics Report No. 643, Washington, D.C., January 1991. Oihos, Dan Janzen, Copenhagen 1988. Tropical Forests, Alan Grainger, proceedings, World Wilderness Congress, 1987.