Eat Less Meat to Save Planet, Government Says

[Guest guest]

doesn't mention the 9:1 ratio of fuel and water required for meat production

versus a plant-based diet.

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Eat Less Meat to Save Planet, Government Says

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/42256/story.htm

 

Eat Less Meat to Save Planet, Government Says

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UK: May 31, 2007

 

 

LONDON - Eating less meat and dairy could help tackle climate change by

reducing the amount of methane gas emitted by cows and sheep, a government

agency says.

 

 

In an email leaked to a vegetarian campaign group, Viva, an Environment

Agency official expressed sympathy for the green benefits of a vegan diet, which

bans all animal product foods.

The official said the government may in future recommend eating less meat

as one of the " key environmental behaviour changes " needed to combat climate

change.

 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has already

announced it is looking into the benefits of low environmental impact diets,

including reducing the amount of animal protein eaten.

 

The email was written by an agency official to a member of the public who

had written to support a vegan diet.

 

" Whilst potential benefit of a vegan diet in terms of climate impact could

be very significant, encouraging the public to take a lifestyle decision as

substantial as becoming vegan would be a request few are likely to take up, " it

said.

 

" You will be interested to hear that Defra is working on a set of key

environmental behaviour changes to mitigate climate change. Consumption of

animal protein has been highlighted within that work.

 

" As a result, the issue may start to figure in climate change

communications in the future. It will be a case of introducing this gently as

there is a risk of alienating the public majority. "

 

Cattle and sheep release millions of tonnes of methane gas a year into the

environment through flatulence. In New Zealand, for example the 55 million farm

animals produce some 90 percent of the country's methane emissions.

 

Several European nations, including Germany and the Netherlands, have

promoted policies that make methane capture a money-spinner for farmers.

 

In the UK, the National Farmers' Union, said it was working on similar

projects, and rejected government moves to encourage less meat intake.

 

In a statement it said: " To suggest that people eating less meat and diary

products will have a significant impact on the fight against global warming

seems rather dubious. "

 

Defra denied that it was telling people to give up meat. " It isn't the

role of government to enforce a dietary or lifestyle change on any individual, "

it said.

 

The Environment Agency said it believed a vegan diet was a matter of

personal choice.

 

 

 

Story by Avril Ormsby

 

 

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE