Are the NFU fit for purpose

[onthehoof]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46214864

The number of sheep and cattle in the UK should be reduced by between a fifth and a half to help combat climate change, a report says.

The farmers' union NFU welcomed the report.

 

[JP1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46214864

The number of sheep and cattle in the UK should be reduced by between a fifth and a half to help combat climate change, a report says.

The farmers' union NFU welcomed the report.

I heard that on the radio. Once again the reporting was smattered with "intensive" livestock farming.

And part of the solution is more forestry ..........

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Absolutely drives me up the wall.
Grassland sequests more Co2 than trees.
And wetland far more again.
Why is nobody pointing out these things?

 

[Hampton]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46214864

The number of sheep and cattle in the UK should be reduced by between a fifth and a half to help combat climate change, a report says.

The farmers' union NFU welcomed the report.

Have you read the report? Or are you just commenting on the article?

 

[onthehoof]

Have you read the report? Or are you just commenting on the article?

Yes - what a load of twaddle. Once again a report based on theory not facts.

 

[roscoe erf]

no they are not and if they keep biting the hand that feeds them they will starve

 

[egbert]

I heard that on the radio. Once again the reporting was smattered with "intensive" livestock farming.

And part of the solution is more forestry ..........

oh I don't think it's forestry they're yearning for, with all those nasty conifers, and big whizzy whizzy machines chopping them up and carting them to the pulp mill.

No the idea will be for native broadleaved woodlands, where sunlit glades will abound with bambi, et al while little red riding hood and hansel and gretel frolic in the wild flowers.

sorry (edit), seems the report is in favour of plantation stuff, and bio-mass...it's the soundbite media which have turned that round.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Here's the report itself

https://www.theccc.org.uk/2018/11/1...t-our-use-of-land-supports-reduced-emissions/

 

[jondear]

We're all doomed !

 

[wasted years]

Friends of the earth commentator is called Guy Shrubsole,
Great name.
Guy Smith is right to welcome the report I think, @Guy Smith , as the farming world is a much more diverse place than it used to be, with a much greater number of potential markets to supply than the past when uplands were simply sheep producing areas.
And anyway, haven't lots of folk been complaining about the price received for breeding sheep this autumn?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

There should be more "planting energy crops on low quality land"

Is that really going to help Co2? Love to see figures, that actually take into account the Co2 grassland already holds.

Don't get me wrong, I believe we need to change. But are we in danger chucking the baby out with the bathwater?

 

[roscoe erf]

We're all doomed !

loved that

 

[davieh3350]

Wow what a coincidence.
Heard it on radio 2 just now. Was thinking about typing "but Mrs may, the people are starving!
well let them eat trees!
and the next article was about Mary Antoinette!

stupid, stupid, sh!te.

 

[kfpben]

As with any membership organisation the NFU are only as good as the people who stand for election.

It’s always easy to hurl muck from the sidelines.

 

[cudder]

I too was appalled to see the NFU supporting this, rather than employing a decent PR strategy to counter the fake science. Ruminant emissions are part of the carbon cycle, but anyone would think cows and sheep manufacture new carbon and pump it wantonly into the atmosphere, the way it’s portrayed.

Second PR fail of the week from the Union who are paid to defend us. Failing to respond to the fake news on badger culling earlier this week is unforgivable.

Last time I threatened to cease my membership, Minette drove to my farm to basically beg me to stay. Will I see her this time?

 

[uztrac]

It is like a disease,left wing agenda & organizations promoting academic twaddle,this follows on from labours ideas to take farmland into state ownership.

 

[yellowbelly]

....................*
No F###### Use

* insert expletive of your choice

 

[yellowbelly]

As with any membership organisation the NFU are only as good as the people who stand for election.

Very true, but unfortunately most of those who would be better are too busy trying to make a living and can't spare the time.
It must be a galling job, sitting in endless meetings, listening to endless drivel and trying to be politically correct all the time.
The NFU needs a few 'mavericks' that will tell 'em like it is, in basic language - time to start upsetting a few academics and politicians and stop 'cow-towing' to them IMHO.

 

[Treg]

Please nobody give up their membership go to the meetings & have your say , as @yellowbelly has just said we need a few mavericks to " tell em like it is " Or as one of our local representatives likes to say " chuck a grenade in now & then to liven things up"
The best way to change a organisation is from the inside.

 

[watcher72]

Didn't a report come out while ago saying that less intensive production like organic was bad for the environment.....yet this report says we should be more extensive ?

No problem with keeping less stock.....as long as price rise to ensure farm income levels stay the same.