In the African Sahel, livestock production is not only an important source of protein, it's probably the main source of everything else including milk. The land is just too dry and nutrient poor to grow grains efficiently. If Ayres tried to convince Malians to stop their cattle and goat production, they'd eat him. It might be helpful if he went over there for a sight visit. He might come back with a different perspective.
Poverty is the biggest cause of deforestation.
Ayers should take a trip down the road from the capital of Honduras out to the banana plantations. He would go through mountains that are essentially nude of trees. No big business interests here. It's hard to appreciate the magnitude of the problem without seeing it first hand. Costa Rica has lots of forests.