AN INFLUENTIAL figure in the county’s farming industry is urging farmers to hit back at the ‘unfair criticism’ by the anti-meat lobby over greenhouse gases.

Auctioneer and head of The Farmer Network based in Penrith, Adam Day, added his voice on how farmers are tackling climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

He says everyone has a duty to fight for UK farming: “I cannot stand back and see our industry ripped to shreds by unfair criticism and biased media coverage.”

He added that the country’s farming systems cannot be compared to other more intensive methods across the world that have a much higher carbon footprint, particularly where forest clearances and food imports are concerned.

“Farming is much further down the list than industry, travel and urban living but this is being ignored,” said Mr Day.

“We need to prepare to feed an ever-growing population and tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers are well placed to do this given investment and support.”

His comments came after the network held a timely farmer workshop at Newton Rigg this week.

The meeting heard that agriculture is currently responsible for about nine per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from methane.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which represents 55,000 UK farmers, has set a target of net-zero emissions in British farming by 2040.

That is not enough for some environmentalists, who say a comprehensive overhaul of farming practices and a move to less intensive production is long overdue.

About 30 Farmer Network members and guests - including the Federation of Cumbria Commoners and the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association - joined Lisa Norton, head of Land Use Group, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, at Lancaster Environment Centre. She is part of a larger research group whose intention is to feed information from the meeting back to DEFRA as part of a consultation process.

“The public should consider food waste, buying more locally and sustainably produced food and that we must halt the decline in self sufficiency which is forcing us to import more and more food,” added Mr Day.

A number of potential options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions were discussed, but many farmers were adamant that low input extensive farming systems could be carbon neutral or even carbon positive, locking more carbon in the soil then they emit.

It was agreed a trial project should be explored to accurately record the carbon footprint on Cumbrian farms.