Why it's wrong to attack Scotland's farmers over climate change – Neil Wilson

The animal welfare and environmental credentials of Scotland's farmers are world-leading, writes Neil Wilson.
Farming has been coming under more pressure than it should do over climate change, says Neil Wilson (Picture: Ian Georgeson)Farming has been coming under more pressure than it should do over climate change, says Neil Wilson (Picture: Ian Georgeson)
Farming has been coming under more pressure than it should do over climate change, says Neil Wilson (Picture: Ian Georgeson)

It’s hard for anyone working in Scotland’s livestock industry not to feel that we’re unfairly under siege in the climate change debate.

The fact that the world is in the midst of a climate emergency is undeniable. Farmers have felt the impact acutely when it comes to the extreme examples of weather we’ve seen in recent years.

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But to paint the livestock industry as the villains of the crisis, as we’ve seen time and again, is wrong. Not only that, but the misinformation being presented about an industry which is at the backbone of rural Scotland risks serious harm to our health, environment and economy.

We must rebalance the focus of discussions over the major causes of pollution because the red meat sector – which produces about three per cent all UK greenhouse emissions – seems to have attention on it which is out of balance when compared to that on major polluters.

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Transport, industry and power account for more than two-thirds of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, yet the glare is on agriculture, and red meat in particular. If, as a country, we want to make serious progress in achieving net-zero, we need to broaden our perspective to see the bigger picture.

Low-carbon farming

The Committee on Climate Change’s recent report – Land Use: Policies for a Net Zero UK – was a case in point where it felt as though our sector came in for harsh treatment, in terms of the general media response to its suggestions on how much red meat people should eat and how farmers’ roles as custodian of the countryside could evolve.

It was pleasing to see the report highlight the fact that livestock farmers across the UK produce top-quality red meat with levels of emissions which are below half of the global average.

And let’s be clear: everyone in Scottish agriculture knows that we need to focus on continuing to reduce emissions. The sector is serious about doing so and has made reductions of about 30 per cent since 1990. Low-carbon farming is being developed through a range of initiatives.

However, the suggestion of planting trees on productive agricultural land seems counter-intuitive to feeding a nation.

The reality is that the majority of Scottish agricultural land is perfect for combining high-quality, low-impact red meat production alongside environmental and climatic benefit.

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More than adequate supplies of water and swathes of permanent pasture which already store huge amounts of carbon – alongside forward-thinking agro-forestry programmes – are proof of our commitment to food production and the environment.

I am convinced that science is on our side. Red meat remains a nutritionally dense protein with amazing and easy-to-reach sources of essential vitamins and minerals as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Plant-based diets are also not automatically ‘climate-friendly’, depending on production systems.

Economics of livestock farming must improve

Critically for shoppers, buying Scotch-assured red meat rather than imported equivalents means fewer food miles and a lower carbon footprint.

It is vital that those of us who believe passionately in the future of farming and the countryside are heard. We must not allow our voices to be drowned in the debate and should take the fight to those who wish to denigrate our industry through unproven and unfounded claims.

Livestock farming is the linchpin for trade around much of rural Scotland. If we want vibrant rural communities and economies, we must acknowledge the critical role red meat production plays. Livestock markets enable this trade, supporting the push towards net zero while sharing wealth.

Success can only be achieved, though, with support from consumers and Government. Crucially, we need to see the economics of livestock farming improve, both in the value of red meat and through economic recognition of farming’s environmental benefits. By working together, farmers and auctioneers can deliver the best market value for livestock in a fair and transparent way.

Food production is crucial to the future of this country. Given global uncertainty and the potential impact of climate change on other parts of the world, our focus should be on a food policy centred around how Britain can guarantee to feed itself rather than export our food production overseas, which is a real danger if the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations were to be followed in full without some form of protection against high-emission imports.

Our message is simple: Support your farming economy by buying Scotch-assured red meat knowing that the health benefits of a balanced diet are clear and that our animal welfare and environmental credentials are world-leading.

Neil Wilson is executive director at the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland