Last updated at 11:51, Tuesday, 23 June 2009

BUSY lifestyles may scupper a scheme to tackle global warming.

Former Beatle and outspoken vegetarian Sir Paul McCartney has suggested people pledge to have “meat-free Mondays”.

The suggestion is designed to slow global warming, as well as help to fight global hunger, improve the welfare of animals, and highlight the vegetarian lifestyle by asking people to abstain from meat for one day a week.

But Doug Gillam, manager and owner of vegetarian restaurant, Gillam’s Tea Room, in Market Street, Ulverston, agrees with the ethos behind the campaign but isn’t convinced it will work in practice.

He said: “I don’t think the campaign will be that successful, but I do agree with the sentiment. I don’t think that the current busy lifestyle of most people allows for such a commitment.

“The energy and water used to grow crops, rather than raise livestock, is significantly less, and after all, human stomachs are not adapted to cope with the amount of meat consumed by the average person.

“I think it will make more people aware of vegetarian food, as well as global warming, and that’s always a good thing.”

Despite the good intentions of the campaign, many farmers are opposed to the idea.

Russell Bourman, county chairman of the Cumbrian branch of the National Farmers Union, said: “If you accept global warming is a problem, you make changes, but I think the vast majority of people will pick quality British meat over the advice of a fading popstar. I have made changes. I recycle, don’t waste food, conserve electricity and don’t leave the heating on, but there are still things I have to do.

“I have to start a tractor. The only alternative to this is ploughing my fields with horses. This would mean that I’d be forced to hire six men to manage it, who in turn would drive up to my farm every day, causing more pollution.

“We also have to think about the developing world. If the levels of livestock used decreases, then they can no longer sell meat to other countries, which accounts for a lot of their income as well.”

However, Sir Paul’s campaign is backed by high-profile personalities such as Sheryl Crow, Chris Martin, and Sir Paul’s daughters, Stella and Mary McCartney.

Sir Paul said: “Having one designated meat-free day a week is actually a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once.

“We should care about climate change, because if we don’t, we are going to leave our children and their children in a hell of a mess.”

The link between meat consumption and global warming has been established since 2006, when a UN study found that the livestock industry was responsible for a staggering 18 per cent of human greenhouse gas emissions.

Meat-free Mondays has also been backed by several high-profile chefs and restaurants, including Giorgio Locatelli, Oliver Peyton, and Linda McCartney foods, because of its ability to promote vegetarianism.

One benefit of meat-free Mondays could be health-related. According to the Department of Health , almost one in four adults in the UK is currently classed as obese.

The cost to the NHS because of this is estimated at £4.2bn, and this figure is estimated to be more than double by 2050. One of the key contributions to obesity is a poor diet, and the meat-free Mondays campaign may help to curb this potentially fatal health challenge.

A spokesman from the Food Standards Agency said: “A healthy balanced diet contains a variety of food including plenty of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods, such as wholemeal bread, wholegrain cereal and potatoes. Meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. However, some types of meat are high in fat, particularly saturated fat, which can lead to high cholesterol.”

The move by Sir Paul follows the recent government shake-up, which sees two vegetarians, Hilary Benn and Jim Fitzpatrick, holding the most senior positions at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

First published at 11:36, Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk