The UK government have officially acknowledged that the production of meat and milk is more harmful to the environment and climate change than other foods because of the way they are produced, packaged, transported or cooked.

For example:

• the production of meat and dairy products has a much bigger effect on climate change and other environmental impacts than that of most grains, pulses and outdoor fruit and vegetables
• foods transported by air have much larger climate change effects than foods transported by sea, rail or road
• some foods require particularly large amounts of energy to produce, like tomatoes grown in heated greenhouses

The UK Vegan Society, keen to maximise this near endorsement of their own thoughts have responded accordingly. Rosamund Raha, Head of Information at the Vegan Society said: “I am pleased that the government has at last recognised the damage being caused by eating meat and dairy products but would urge them to promote a vegan diet which is the best option for the environment.”

The website recommends buying fish from a sustainable source, however globally fishing vessels use about 50 billion litres of fuel a year to catch 80 million tonnes of fish; that is 1.2% of global oil production. Vegan Society Media Officer Nigel Winter said: “Fish farming is not the answer either. It takes between 2 and 5 kg of wild fish to produce 1 kg of fishmeal fed farmed fish; so farmed fish also contribute to dwindling fish stocks in the oceans.”

Are Government ministers going to lead by example and cut meat and dairy from their diets as well as using public transport?

Personally I find this all fascinating and encouraging that the UK government is now acknowledging not only the health benefits of cutting out meat and dairy, but also the environmental benefits too. Could it be that they have really know this for ages, but are now drip-feeding the information as a precursor to bigger changes in the age of global warming?

Links:

Specific page on site:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Greenerfoodanddrink/DG_064434

Government site on the environment and greener living:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Greenerfoodanddrink/index.htm

Vegan Society: http://www.vegansociety.com/

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