Can red meat be green? Experts debate sustainable food production
10/11/2009
Five of Australia's leading environmentalists locked horns at a forum in Sydney today to debate the future of red meat in feeding the world's growing population.
Internationally-acclaimed scientist Tim Flannery weighted into a provocative debate with The Climate Institute's Corey Watts, Murdoch University Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Nick Costa, NSW livestock producer Sam Archer and Meat and Livestock Australia's Beverley Henry.
At the forum, internationally-acclaimed scientist Tim Flannery weighed into a provocative debate with The Climate Institute's Corey Watts, Murdoch University Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Nick Costa, NSW livestock producer Sam Archer and Meat and Livestock Australia's Beverley Henry.
Professor Tim Flannery, who is Chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council and former Australian of the Year, discussed his belief to high school students and media in attendance that cattle are essential to Australia's economic and environmental sustainability.
"Large animals play an essential role in retaining fertility in the land, we just need to think about livestock management as part of the total environment," Professor Flannery said.
Corey Watts, formerly from the Australian Conservation Foundation and now Regional Projects Manager at The Climate Institute, called for industry-wide targets to be set for emissions reduction, innovation and investment in low-emissions farming and the need for broader political support for a package of "carrots and sticks".
Dr Nick Costa discussed red meat in the Garnaut low-emissions scenarios and livestock producer Sam Archer provided an overview of his environmentally-sustainable management activities on his cattle and sheep property in NSW.
Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director David Palmer outlined the $28 million Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program. A joint initiative of the Australian government Climate Change Research Program and the livestock industries, the program is funding 18 separate projects to research ways to measure and reduce livestock emissions. All major research groups in Australia with expertise in rumen biology, nutrition and livestock management are collaborating in the program.
Mr Palmer said it was estimated that methane emissions could be lowered significantly through improving animal genetics and management practices such as nutrition and feed management. These measures will not only help to reduce methane emissions but also ensure sustainable food production.
"When measuring emissions it's also important to look at grazing lands and the role they play in carbon sequestration - an essential element in the carbon cycle."
For more information, please contact:
Pip McConachie (0402 448 745), Jenny Littlewood (0403 359 864) or Susan McNair (0409 389 202).