INDUSTRY NEWS AND RESEARCH


NEW LABELLING LAWS TO BE PROPOSED FOR NON­STUN MEAT


Defra are soon to publish a consultation on new proposals designed to give consumers more information on meat.


The headline proposal will introduce a requirement to indicate if the meat comes from animals not stunned before slaughter and is part of the governments commitments to improving animal welfare. Farming Minister, Victoria Prentis, announced the plans in parliament at the end of March. The consultation is expected to be published in late June and may also include proposals on indicating the method of production, such as intensive indoor farming or free- range.


The Minister made it clear that the Government respects people’s religious right to slaughter animals in the way they choose, but said, “this is the moment to tackle the issue of whether food labelling can provide consumers with better information on slaughter methods”.


It is also hoped that further proposals will follow later that will attempt to give customers better information on the environmental impact of the meat they are choosing.


NCB will generally be supporting these proposals and emphasising Photo credit AHDB


the importance of local abattoirs in achieving lower carbon footprints as well as maintaining animal welfare standards. We welcome members views on these issues.


SEAWEED CAN REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS FROM CATTLE


The impact of methane burped into the atmosphere by ruminant animals is often cited as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.


Whereas this is true it is often not realised that this is by no means a bad thing because the process is a vitally important part of the planets natural carbon cycle which is literally fundamental for all life. As we all know it is the excessive use of fossil fuels in recent centuries that have created an overload of emissions leading to climate change threats.


Nevertheless, there are probably more ruminant animals on the planet today than in the past, although some dispute this. However, it is important that agriculture plays its part in reducing carbon emissions where possible. This goal has recently been greatly enhanced by new research from the University of California. It has been known for some time that adding seaweed to cattle feed reduces methane burps and flatulence. The new study confirms that the reduction can be up to 82% and, importantly, this is maintained over the long term.


Photo credit Adrian Craig for Unsplash


Scientific advances like this will play an important role in helping the meat and livestock industry meet their tough carbon reduction targets in the future.


CRAFT BUTCHER MAY/JUNE 2021| 25


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