Meat + dairy cuts needed says research

Meat and dairy cuts again urged to save the planet - Food Manufacture

More Evidence to support Meat Free Monday Solution

London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "The evidence is mounting from every angle. Meat and dairy reduction is the only clear solution for improved health, environmental and socio-economic problems. How much more evidenceis needed before the Government and health professionals put their weight behind this logical solution"

This latest research is by London's Imperial College.

The research, ‘‘Strategies for reducing red meat and dairy consumption in the UK’’, has been compiled by London University’s Imperial College. It is supported by WWF UK (formerly World Wildlife Fund UK) and includes input from bodies such as consulting, technology and outsourcing group Accenture, Cranfield University and English Farming and Food Partnerships. The finished report is expected to be published in early autumn after it's gone throughg peer review.

The draft report highlighted 5.7Mt of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions unaccounted for by the food and drink industry’s existing reduction work that would have to be eradicated to meet the government’s 2050 targets for reducing GHGs. It argues the gap has to be bridged by changing consumer behaviour.

Imperial said the largest portion of emissions in the food and drink supply chain comes from the farming sector and acknowledges processors are already making substantial progress on emissions reduction.It suggested food and drink contingency plans should focus on the meat and dairy sectors, because they generate the biggest slice of GHG emissions in the food industry – 31%.

In addition to estimated savings from initiatives already underway, Imperial said slashing red meat and dairy consumption should reach the 5.7Mt shortfall, achieving a 6.2Mt GHG emissions cut by 2050.

Food Standards Agency nutrition guidelines have shown room for reducing consumption in these areas while safeguarding recommended protein intakes, said the report’s contributors. And further findings claimed shoppers were over-consuming red meat and dairy products.