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VSFarmers are campaigning to lower the age when cows can be killed and sold like beef, claiming that it will reduce greenhouse gases.
The National Beef Association (NBA) is calling for calves that are eight months old, rather than the current 12 months, to be classified as beef rather than veal – which is less popular with consumers and less expensive for processors. meat.
This decision will increase the profitability of the multi-million pound British beef sector, save money and resources for farmers, and reduce greenhouse gases, as livestock graze faster.
But charities have accused the NBA of using environmental benefits as a smokescreen for what they say is a purely "profit-driven" exercise.
They claim that slaughtering cattle at an earlier age and increasing the amount of beef in circulation could actually have a negative impact on the environment, as meat consumption contributes to climate change .
Goldsmiths, University of London, recently removed hamburgers, lasagna, chilli and tacos from its campus to reduce its environmental footprint.
Animal Aid told The Telegraph newspaper: "We believe that this profit-driven proposition is simply a marketing ploy that tries to overcome the reluctance of UK buyers to buy" veal ".
"To say that killing cattle earlier is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is also a weak greenwashing attempt.
"Regardless of the life span offered during rearing, cattle end up being ruthlessly slaughtered at the slaughterhouse at a fraction of their natural lifespan, about 20 years.
"If consumers are concerned about the environmental impacts of meat consumption, the best way to help them is to adopt a compassionate vegan diet."
Richard George of Greenpeace UK added, "The best scientists in the world have consistently emphasized the need to reduce meat consumption in order to hope to limit climate change to reasonable levels.
"It is clear that the National Beef Association did not receive this rating because its response to the climate crisis seems to be a campaign to allow the slaughter of younger cows than ever before."
In announcing the NBA's campaign last month, general manager Chris Mallon said, "It would improve farm profits by reducing the cost of food, litter and labor. work associated with each animal. It would also increase cattle turnover in beef production units, helping farmers to increase production and potentially adding significant sums to their bottom line.
"An additional benefit of the younger production systems will be the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per animal."
The European Commission adopted a regulation in 1968, which distinguishes between adult cattle and calves.
The NBA, which promotes and supports the beef sector, said in a statement: "Our call for up-to-date regulatory definitions on beef classification needs to reflect the improvements and efficiency of the beef production systems. the introduction of the regulations in 1968, and is categorically not "greenwashing".
"While reducing meat consumption is perceived by many to be a solution to climate change, switching to vegan is not the answer when other industries provide much higher levels of carbon." Consumers should instead seek to consume more sustainable and more sustainable sources of meat, such as that produced in the United Kingdom, where two-thirds of the UK's farmland is sod and, in most cases, can not be used for breeding. other cultures, unlike other practices in the world.
"Agriculture accounts for only 10% of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, while other industries contribute much more – transport (26%) and energy (25%), more than double what businesses and homes contribute 17% and 10% respectively.
"British Beef production systems have high standards of well being and are world leaders in this area, and the role of the National Beef Association is to support UK beef producers who are currently penalized by processors. thanks to more efficient production systems, cattle are now ready in less than 12 months without compromising on welfare.
"It is not true that producers are penalized on the price if the animal was 11 months and 28 days, just 2 days from the current 12-month ranking." The National Beef Association suggested changing the ranking to 8 months to reflect these developments in beef production ".
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said, "Our growing agri-food and agriculture industries are at the heart of our economy and culture, and our world-renowned beef plays a crucial role in this regard.
"Our government is committed to keeping our beef industry strong and profitable for many years to come. This is why we work closely with a range of stakeholders to ensure that we reflect their views and concerns in all future policies.
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