No need to cut beef to tackle climate crisis, say farmers

NFU says growing fuel for power stations and capturing CO₂ can slash emissions

Farming can become climate neutral by 2040 without cutting beef production or converting substantial areas of farmland into forest, according to a plan published by the National Farmers' Union.

Instead, the NFU says three-quarters of the UK's agricultural emissions can be offset by growing fuel for power stations and then capturing and burying the carbon dioxide, which could lead to energy plants becoming the nation's biggest crop after wheat. Increasing the carbon stored in soils and using technology to reduce the emissions caused by cattle and fertiliser use are also needed, the NFU says.