NFU: Emissions for agriculture must be treated differently says Task Force

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Wednesday, 08, Oct 2008 12:00

Ambitious recommendations from the Government’s Committee on Climate Change have been published today. In response the industry-wide Climate Change Task Force, with the NFU, CLA and AIC, agree the proposals will propel the UK to the forefront of international action in tackling climate change.

However the group has issued a note of caution over the lack of recognition for the peculiar profile of greenhouse gases from agriculture.

In a joint statement the Climate Change Task Force said: “At this stage the committee does not appear to have recognised farming emissions as being fundamentally different from the energy and industry sectors, although it does recognise emissions from particular sectors, for example international aviation and shipping, are unlikely to be reduced as dramatically as those from the rest of the UK economy.

“With this in mind the Task Force will continue to inform and lobby the Government and its advisers about the scientific uncertainties surrounding non-CO2 greenhouse gases and the need for directed incentives to enable farmers, growers and land managers to play their part in reducing the overall greenhouse gas balance within the agricultural and horticultural sector.

“We have already asked the Climate Change Committee and Government to take an economically viable and evidence-based approach to allocating emissions’ reduction targets, based on an objective analysis of the costs of abatement, and recognising the unique role agriculture has to play in providing renewable natural resources

“Public and media confusion between the impacts of food consumption and food production is also a concern, and may tend to favour imports over domestic production. This would simply result in UK greenhouse gas emissions being exported.

“However, our industry has the potential to be completely CO2 neutral, and to even have a positive balance, through carbon storage and if credited with the supply of low-carbon renewable energy and services to others. With scientific advances, good management and continued assistance with extension, we may be able to deliver modest cuts in methane and nitrous oxide for the same level of agricultural output. Scientific evidence suggests that the same level of cuts in all greenhouse gases is simply not achievable.”

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Notes to editors

1. The Climate Change Task force was launched in January 2007. For more on the report click here

2. The Task Force has already recommended a number of future priorities for the industry in order to address climate change in the agricultural and land management sector. It met with the Committee on Climate Change earlier this year to discuss issues

3. A more detailed report is expected by Committee on Climate Change in December, which will recommend interim greenhouse gas reduction targets up to 2022 and the impact for different industry sectors.

NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ

Press Officer: Sharon Hockley

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The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.