Farmer backlash over controversial NBA beef proposals

Rare Breeds Survival Trust chief executive Christopher Price commended the NBA for its leadership, but warned industry must make changes if it wants to be credible in addressing the challenges of climate change, rather than trying to preserve industrial processes.

“The report assumes native breeds are upmarket lawnmowers but they should not be treated as environmental eccentricities,” he said.

“They play a core part in the future of a sustainable livestock sector and the NBA needs to work with the wider livestock sector to come up with a solution which addresses the full range of concerns.”

Angry

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts said the union had received ‘many calls from angry members’, adding traditional systems where animals were finished over a longer period were more environmentally friendly.

Two Scottish Beef Association board members said they would resign if the plans got the green light.

NBA chief executive Neil Shand said a number of farmers had been in touch to express their views.

“There has been a misunderstanding as the report neither promotes intensive fed finishing nor demotes grass-based systems,” he said.

“It was intended to counter a Defra suggestion to reduce the suckler herd and allow more space in the UK for home-reared beef to high standards and reduce imports.”

Farmers Guardian understands an updated version of the report will be put to NBA members in the coming weeks.