Press Release - The previously unknown public benefits generated by the UK's beef cattle

The previously unknown public benefits generated by the UK’s beef cattle.

The continued presence of almost five million specialist beef cattle in the United Kingdom is essential for the future delivery of hugely undervalued public benefits – as well as the regular, provision of high quality, environmentally efficient, and nutritious beef for the national dinner plate.

The National Beef Association, which is disappointed at the lack of appreciation by the British public of the many and varied benefits of keeping beef cattle and is also convinced that an increase, not decrease, in national herd size would assist in the solving of a number of urgent national problems.

“One is that the UK’s food security, which is coming under increased pressure, is being reinforced by the production of almost 800,000 tonnes of domestically produced, high protein, high trace element content, and high quality beef each year,” explained NBA director, Kim Haywood.

“This would secure an important contribution to a balanced diet at a time when the volume of beef being traded internationally is shrinking as a result of rising population pressure and a substantial lift in global demand.”

“But, perhaps to the surprise of many, it would also contribute to the preservation of our treasured rural landscape and the maintenance of countless, complex, eco-systems which protect the survival of a large number of our most precious, birds, small mammals, butterflies and plants.”

“If the number of grazing beef cattle declined further there would, almost immediately, be a further invasion by scrub plants and thorn onto the previously well managed pastureland that creates one of the most dominant features of our multicoloured, patchwork, countryside.”

“And at the same time as the landscape became more overgrown and neglected the fragile environments that are nurtured by cattle grazing in spring and summer, would be overwhelmed by other invasive plants that would shut out light that is essential for the continued presence of countless pasture-dependent species.”

“It is no accident that specialist organisations like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and similar groups that value wildflowers and precious insects, appreciate that without the assistance of cattle, which graze down rough and invasive plant species, their task would be much more difficult.”

“Recent efforts to calculate the value of these previously unappreciated public benefits suggest that across National Park areas in England alone around £900 million a year is spent by tourists attracted by landscapes created by the mixed grazing of beef cattle and sheep.”

“The Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs also estimates that, again in local economy revenue terms in England, the biodiversity created by mixed cattle and sheep grazing should be valued at more than £1.3 billion a year – and if Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were included the overall benefit would be even greater.”

“On top of this the value created by food producing animals that also protect rare birds, butterflies and flowers is almost incalculable in heritage protection terms, Ms Haywood added.

For more information contact:

Kim Haywood, NBA director.  Tel. 0131 336 1754/07967 698936