CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE NEEDS COOL HEADS, NOT HOT AIR says NFUS

NFU Scotland is increasingly alarmed that a growing number of commentators are throwing themselves into the climate change debate in an attempt to pursue very personal anti-meat agendas.

Today (Thursday, 3 December) pop star and vegetarian lobbyist Sir Paul McCartney will be one of several speakers taking part in a hearing entitled 'Global Warming and Food Policy: Less Meat = Less Heat' in the European Parliament. Rather than stimulate informed discussion, NFU Scotland has concerns that the speakers involved are all well-known for their anti-meat, pro-vegetarian positions rather than having any genuine interest in tackling climate change in a reasoned, responsible manner.

NFU Scotland has written to Mr McCartney ahead of the hearing to outline the importance of the livestock sector to Scotland, the significant improvements already made in reducing emissions and the need for proportion when seeking solutions to climate change. Mr McCartney’s own ‘Meat-Free Monday’ campaign appears to be predicated on a general prejudice against meat consumption rather than an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ahead of the EU Parliament hearing, NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren said

“This meeting is an opportunity to highlight the role of agriculture, and the livestock sector in particular, in tackling climate change. It is a real disappointment that with a clearly one-sided panel there appears little likelihood of there being balanced, informed debate. The real issue, whether we are discussing meat production, fruit and vegetable production, or the production of any product, is surely the system of production and the sustainability of that system, rather than adopting a prejudice against the product itself?

“It is well-known that Sir Paul is against the consumption of meat, and it is a worry to us that he is using climate change as an excuse to pursue this agenda. That is why we have taken the time to write to him, highlighting that systems of meat production in Northern Europe, the UK and particularly in Scotland are highly sustainable, and environmentally beneficial.

“Our livestock in Scotland generally utilise land that would have no value to food production other than the extensive grazing of cattle and sheep. These extensive livestock production systems make essential contributions to the economy, the rural infrastructure and the environment with grazed farmland providing habitats for birdlife, plants and other animals.

“The integrated agricultural systems found in Scotland, with livestock at their heart, are the key to sustainable food production in the future. Scotland and the EU will play a key role in world food production in years to come, as climate change takes affect. Without livestock, these systems will collapse.

“Scottish farmers have a good story to tell but fully recognise that they also share in the global requirement to tackle climate change responsibly. Viewing emissions as a waste, and working to reduce that waste, can bring better efficiency to farming systems. Our track record in reducing emissions is better than many other sectors and we will be grasping this issue and taking it forward.

“With the world’s political leaders due to sit down to discuss climate change in Copenhagen next week – a landmark summit that could be the launch pad for further targets, restrictions and challenges for farmers throughout the world – more and more commentators like Sir Paul are coming out of the woodwork. We need politicians in Copenhagen to see past some of the personal agendas being pedalled when arriving at their decisions.

“This hearing in Brussels and recent tabloid stories heralding vegetarianism as the saviour of the planet are a sharp reminder that farmers, as food producers, must turn any attention on climate change to our advantage and promote the positives that the farming industry has to offer. These positives greatly outweigh the negatives.”