Farmers reject CCC’s call for livestock reduction targets

Farmers have strongly opposed the latest proposal by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to cut livestock numbers by 27% and reduce meat and dairy consumption, warning the plan overlooks agriculture’s vital role in carbon management.

The CCC’s seventh carbon budget, released on Wednesday (26 February) as part of the UK’s efforts to reach net zero by 2050, outlines the agricultural sector’s role in emissions reduction.

The report calls for a 27% decrease in cattle and sheep numbers, a 25% reduction in meat consumption, and a 20% cut in dairy consumption by 2040.

The suggestion is that this will contribute 7% of the total UK emissions reductions needed in agriculture and land use by 2040.

Additionally, by 2050, the CCC seeks a 35% reduction in average meat consumption.

See also: Low-carbon premiums could soon benefit arable farmers

The CCC, which has a legislative duty to assist and advise the government in meeting statutory net zero targets, has faced sharp criticism from the farming community for these recommendations.

Reaction

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) says the CCC’s plan ignores the significant environmental role that livestock farming plays in managing the land and sequestering carbon.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said: “We all recognise the climate emergency and the need to do all we can to address it.

“But by perpetuating anti-livestock rhetoric within its own echo chamber, the CCC has fallen into an ‘emperor’s new clothes’ policy for which they will get plaudits, but without justification.”

Mr Dunn points out that agriculture, which occupies 70% of the UK’s land area, is more carbon-efficient than other sectors.

He said: “Acre for acre, the use of land for agriculture is some 17 times more carbon efficient than all other uses.”

He argues that livestock farming is responsible for recycling carbon stored in grass, hedgerows, and trees, while farmers also act as custodians of soil carbon that has been locked away for generations.

Holistic

However, the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) has welcomed the CCC’s recommendations, while emphasising the need for a holistic approach to farming.

It highlighted the importance of considering the benefits of grazing animals for landscapes, nature and soil health, rather than solely focusing on emissions.

NFFN chief executive Martin Lines said farmers were at the forefront of climate solutions. “It is understandable that some farmers may find these recommendations daunting, but they also present new opportunities,” he said.

“By diversifying what we do and developing stronger revenue streams, we can deliver what society needs while building more resilient farm businesses.”

The Vegan Society supported the CCC’s recommendations, arguing that cutting meat and dairy consumption would reduce emissions and free up land for other climate-friendly activities.

A spokesperson said: “The more meat and dairy we cut, the greater the benefits are.”

It claimed plant-based proteins, such as pulses and legumes, offered a healthier and more sustainable alternative to animal products.

While the government has yet to implement any such measures, experts such as Sam Alvis at the Institute for Public Policy Research argue that early action on climate change will lower future costs and help prevent the economic damage caused by inaction.