Ongoing reports in the national media that are effectively encouraging consumers to eat less dairy and red meat products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, have drawn criticism from livestock farmers.

The National Beef Association (NBA) submitted a complaint to the BBC following a report broadcast last week, which stated that consumers should eat more locally grown fruit and vegetables and less beef to offset global warming.

“In times where consumers are so heavily influenced by social media and the press, we must ensure that they have access to the full story and not just a narrow view of livestock production,” a statement in the NBA’s newsletter read.

The NBA took issue with the fact that the BBC report did not state that productive and fertile grassland absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and reduces the global warming effect. It also did not mention emissions from other sectors in the economy. The latest official figures from the UK government published in March 2018 show that agriculture is responsible for 6.9% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions, which is the third lowest across the nine sectors outlined.

The most polluting sector is energy supply responsible for 35% of emissions, followed by transport on 16% and business on 14%.

“We must take responsibility in highlighting the importance of farming and agriculture, not just for feeding the nation, but also in helping to protect and manage the environment,” the NBA said.

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