Evaluation on the external environment cost of pig‐breeding with different size in sichuan province of C hina

In this article, pig manure treatment methods and technical levels in households were considered, and the market value method and the treatment cost approach were applied to estimate the external environmental cost (EEC) of pig‐farming with different scales quantitatively, reflecting the impacts of pig farming on the environment. Results show that the total EEC for medium‐scale farms is lower than that of range breeding and small‐scale farms. Its data envelopment analysis overall effective years are most, and its average scale efficiency and comprehensive efficiency are the highest, and its unit EEC is the minimal among the four scales. Therefore, range breeding should be narrowed, but the medium‐scale breeding should be moderately encouraged and developed. This is in line with Chinese policy and planning of developing livestock and poultry industry in moderate scale. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1488–1496, 2015