NFU sets out three-pillar approach to achieve net zero emission goal by 2040

“Simply doubling the volume of just 10 per cent of British hedges could capture almost 5 per cent of farming’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

The third part of the three-pronged approach is to grow biofuels which can be used to power carbon capture and storage systems, providing a renewable ‘engine’ to fuel the technology.

Ms Batters plan to reach net zero emissions has not been welcomed by all parts of the industry, with NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick telling the NFUS conference two weeks ago he ‘disagreed’ with the NFU target, though was prepared to accept it is ‘aspirational and not absolute’.

Mr McCornick joined former QMS chairman Jim McLaren in calling for a better method of calculating emissions across the whole of the UK.

“They are not good at measuring the good which comes from ruminant farming in terms of food produced and carbon capture from growing grass,” said Mr McCornick.

“One flight from Heathrow to New York in emissions terms is equivalent to a herd of 500 cows for a year.”

Mr McLaren added: “We are sleepwalking into net zero with no effective measurement tool.

“At the moment, we count the legs and divide by four. We get zero credit for the work we do [in sequestering carbon] already.”