NFU supports report that says green livestock farming does pay

The NFU says it fully supports the work of a new study on the environmental credentials and sustainability of the livestock sector published by the English Beef and Lamb Executive.

Testing the water the Eblex Production Environmental Roadmap Phase 2 – has also demonstrated that being greener has a clear correlation to improved financial benefits. The report clearly shows that beef and sheep producers who reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through improved physical performance efficiencies could potentially see improved returns in their financial margins.

The report also suggests ways that farmers can improve their environmental performance, helping to cut overall the impact of livestock production on the environment in England. It also includes the first reliable water usage footprint for the beef and lamb production industry, estimates the industrys contribution to the landscape and biodiversity in England, and takes a snapshot of the energy and waste performance of the processing sector.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said:  This is an excellent report that builds on the hugely successful original roadmap. This is the first time we have been able to put a figure on the relationship between commercial performance and environmental performance and the results have to be good news for farmers. The other key message coming from this report is the comprehensive study into water usage associated with red meat production. I have heard some farfetched figures used in the environmental debate surrounding red meat production and water. However this report illustrates the true water usage impact of English beef and lamb production is in fact extremely small.

“The NFU is very proud of the efforts industry is already making to ensure livestock farming in this country is more sustainable. It is hugely important if we are to increase our capacity to produce more food to feed a growing population while impacting less on the environment and using fewer natural resources. This Roadmap 2 builds on the success of the first roadmap and I look forward to working closely with Eblex on the scoping and development of the next stage.

Testing the Water the Eblex beef and sheep production environmental roadmap phase two can be downloaded at www.eblex.org.uk/publications