Government seeks views on reducing livestock methane production
The UK Government has launched a UK-wide call for evidence asking agricultural industry, scientists and the wider public for information on the use of new types of animal feed products that can reduce methane emissions from livestock.
This week, Defra has announced a new call for evidence on a new consultation relating to methane production from livestock, across the UK. The CLA will be submitting evidence to this consultation at the appropriate time.
Feed products with methane inhibiting properties have shown potential in reducing reduce GHG emissions, especially from housed cattle. These products may include ingredients like methane production inhibitors, seaweeds, essential oils, organic acids, probiotics, and antimicrobials.
The consultation has been launched in agreement with the Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The governments are seeking to find out how farmers and agri-businesses can increase adoption of this technology to support more sustainable protein production. It will consider the current role of feed additives within our farming systems, and the potential barriers that could prevent the introduction of methane suppressing feed products in both the near and long-term future.
The CLA is taking an active role in agricultural sustainability and takes seriously our part in reducing emissions on the road to Net Zero
In light of the news of this consultation launch, CLA President, Mark Tufnell, said: “The CLA is taking an active role in agricultural sustainability and takes seriously our part in reducing emissions on the road to Net Zero. We will be submitting evidence to the consultation from DEFRA and have a keen interest in what the results from this new call for evidence on reducing methane production will produce."
In closing, Mark also stated: “Government investment in research into ruminant diets and genetics is one step closer to developing innovative solutions to reduce methane emissions. Farmers should be supported to implement such innovations to ensure they are not subjected to undue pressure at time when our domestic food security needs to be stronger than ever.”
More information on the consultation can be found here.