Meat matters for Wales
Calls for a drastic reduction in livestock numbers and cutting meat consumption is not the way to tackle climate change in the UK, according to Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).
Westminster Health Minister Andy Burnham yesterday supported a report in The Lancet which called for a 30 per cent reduction in livestock figures across high producing countries.
Flock and herd numbers in Wales are already falling and further reductions will impact on the UK's ability to feed a growing population.
In Wales, breeding ewe numbers have fallen by 5 per cent since 2008, while cattle numbers have also fallen by 2 per cent.
HCC Chairman Rees Roberts says the report fails to recognise that large parts of the UK are unsuitable for growing crops, with nearly 80 per cent of land in Wales only useful for growing grass or feeding sheep.
This is backed up by David MacKay, the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, who has said that the Welsh hills are unsuitable for anything other than for sheep production.
"Animal diets also make good use of other co-products used in human plant foods which would otherwise go to waste.
"We need to look at ways to produce foods that use resources as efficiently as possible while reducing the impact on the environment.
"Cutting livestock numbers even further is not the way forward" said Mr. Roberts.
HCC is currently working on a climate change road map that will lay out plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from red meat production to meet Government targets without a further reduction in livestock numbers.
HCC is also involved in a Breed Improvement programme which is looking at ways to breed animals and grow food that would lead to less methane and carbon dioxide being produced by livestock.
Mr. Roberts also highlighted the importance of lean red meat in a healthy diet.
"Lean red meat is low in saturated fat, with just 1.7g per 100g of fat and is also low in salt.
"Red meat also contains vital nutrients such as protein, iron and zinc. It is an important source of energy and an essential part of a balanced diet."
Westminster Health Minister Andy Burnham yesterday supported a report in The Lancet which called for a 30 per cent reduction in livestock figures across high producing countries.
Flock and herd numbers in Wales are already falling and further reductions will impact on the UK's ability to feed a growing population.
In Wales, breeding ewe numbers have fallen by 5 per cent since 2008, while cattle numbers have also fallen by 2 per cent.
HCC Chairman Rees Roberts says the report fails to recognise that large parts of the UK are unsuitable for growing crops, with nearly 80 per cent of land in Wales only useful for growing grass or feeding sheep.
This is backed up by David MacKay, the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, who has said that the Welsh hills are unsuitable for anything other than for sheep production.
"Animal diets also make good use of other co-products used in human plant foods which would otherwise go to waste.
"We need to look at ways to produce foods that use resources as efficiently as possible while reducing the impact on the environment.
"Cutting livestock numbers even further is not the way forward" said Mr. Roberts.
HCC is currently working on a climate change road map that will lay out plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from red meat production to meet Government targets without a further reduction in livestock numbers.
HCC is also involved in a Breed Improvement programme which is looking at ways to breed animals and grow food that would lead to less methane and carbon dioxide being produced by livestock.
Mr. Roberts also highlighted the importance of lean red meat in a healthy diet.
"Lean red meat is low in saturated fat, with just 1.7g per 100g of fat and is also low in salt.
"Red meat also contains vital nutrients such as protein, iron and zinc. It is an important source of energy and an essential part of a balanced diet."
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