Liz Bonnin's documentary aired this week and has caused quite a stir amongst British farmers. The programme focused on the environmental cost of intensive meat production. So, are the reactions justified?
In short, I think the answer is no. The programme shows a clear approach to the topic, global meat consumption and its impact on the planet as a whole. Focus is on production in North and South America, but we cannot simply see it therefore as not our problem. The UK doesn't produce meat on the same scale as America, being a fraction of the size, but we are seeing an increasing number of 'feedlot' farms in the UK and our approach to pigs, poultry and dairy is not far off large scale intensive systems across the world. Also, we import meat and animal feed extensively from countries with highly unsustainable production systems.
As mentioned in the previous post, we cannot justify UK consumption of meat on the current scale simply because we deforested our country hundreds of years ago. Further, our systems are similar in the way that Bonnin recognises, whereby most farmers simply act as tiny cogs in a huge industry. We did not even see that deep inside of factory farms operating in the USA- we could have been presented with a far less appetising image of food production in the US than was served up to us.
I don't think the intention of the programme was to target UK farmers- indeed every positive aspect of farming that was shown was from UK farms. So the NFU and AHDB, amongst others, issuing statements of discontent, I think only worsens their position of being taken seriously as part of solutions to climate and food security issues. It is unfortunate to see NFU president, Minette Batters, unequivocally back current food systems in Britain. Not only does this fail to recognise the massive issues within the industry in terms of environmental and societal costs but it also fails to recognise our role in global markets.
I think that the point of this programme was to encourage the average viewer to consider what's on their plate before they eat it and what cost incurs in order to get it there. In calling for reduced meat consumption, we are calling for better environmental standards, better health and nutrition and a fairer price for farmers.