Austin7
Member
Less than a year into her Presidency, without any prior democratic consultation, Minette committed English Agriculture to Net Zero. Just 30 days before the NFU had responded to the Committee on Climate Change using these exact words:
“There are no ‘silver bullets’ to deliver a net-zero- emissions farming system. A joined-up approach to building a zero- carbon economy is absolutely essential, and will need to involve farmers and landowners in formulating new policy, working with them to make it happen.
Within the constraints of our farming systems and practices, the NFU does not believe that agriculture could get close to net zero emissions. the NFU does not support a deliberate reduction in livestock numbers as a policy aim. This would risk losing many of the environmental benefits of grass-fed beef and sheep production. There are also well-understood risks that any measures that reduce our competitiveness as food producers would merely export the Green House Gas emissions associated with meeting UK food needs, and potentially even increase emissions at a global level.
British farmers and growers are already helping to decarbonise other parts of the UK economy by installing or hosting renewable energy projects, and by supplying bioenergy feedstocks. New opportunities for ‘negative emissions’ (i.e. greenhouse gas removals) include bioenergy with carbon capture and utilisation, carbon storage in soils and trees, and greater use of bio-based products and materials – all of which are likely to present additional income opportunities for agriculture.”
Whether it be Red Tractor or Net Zero the way forward is Back to Reality. Build Back Bradshaw.
“There are no ‘silver bullets’ to deliver a net-zero- emissions farming system. A joined-up approach to building a zero- carbon economy is absolutely essential, and will need to involve farmers and landowners in formulating new policy, working with them to make it happen.
Within the constraints of our farming systems and practices, the NFU does not believe that agriculture could get close to net zero emissions. the NFU does not support a deliberate reduction in livestock numbers as a policy aim. This would risk losing many of the environmental benefits of grass-fed beef and sheep production. There are also well-understood risks that any measures that reduce our competitiveness as food producers would merely export the Green House Gas emissions associated with meeting UK food needs, and potentially even increase emissions at a global level.
British farmers and growers are already helping to decarbonise other parts of the UK economy by installing or hosting renewable energy projects, and by supplying bioenergy feedstocks. New opportunities for ‘negative emissions’ (i.e. greenhouse gas removals) include bioenergy with carbon capture and utilisation, carbon storage in soils and trees, and greater use of bio-based products and materials – all of which are likely to present additional income opportunities for agriculture.”
Whether it be Red Tractor or Net Zero the way forward is Back to Reality. Build Back Bradshaw.