Question to Prime Minister Tony Blair on climate change

7 July 2008

Prime Minister, eighteen per cent of greenhouse emissions come from farm animals raised for meat, while rainforests are destroyed  for cattle ranching. Will you go vegetarian and lead by example?

NITIN MEHTA
Croydon

Response

The destruction of tropical rainforests for conversion to farmland-for meat and crops-must be halted. and reversed. This is why I have called for G8 leaders to support efforts to reduce forest destruction and degradation. Minimising emissions from agricultural sources will be an important part of efforts to limit climate change. This does not mean that the world has to give up meat. Technological advances such as methane capture and NOx inhibitors, and support for sustainable agricultural practices, offer ways to reduce the climate impact of animal agriculture.

Tony Blair.