Pollution from Farming Wrecking Scottish Climate

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Friday, 08 April 2005

As much as a third of the pollution that is wrecking the climate in Scotland could be blamed on farmers and landowners, according to evidence submitted to ministers.
Environmental groups claim that the vast volumes of greenhouse gases emitted by artificial fertilisers, farm machinery, crops and livestock have been seriously under-estimated.

In response, ministers are promising to make the need for reductions in emissions from farms part of their strategies for agriculture and sustainable development.

As part of its “everyone” general election campaign, a coalition of 26 environmental groups in Scotland is today launching a critique of the pollution caused by farming.

Fred Edwards, president of Scottish Environment Link, said: “To save us all from climate chaos, we need politicians to deliver year-on-year cuts in pollution emissions. “It is becoming apparent just how much we have been underestimating levels of emissions in agriculture. ”

Edwards called on ministers to take urgent action and support more organic farming. “If we were to replace more of the food on our plate with locally produced organic produce, Scotland could be making major cuts in its climate pollution,” he claimed.

Source: Sunday Herald. For full story go to http://www.sundayherald.com/48822