According to a recent BBC report, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has come under fire from Rory Francis, the director of the Cymdeithas Eryri/Snowdonia Society, for “peddling climate change misinformation”.
Mr Francis made his remarks following a post made on Facebook by HCC.
Allegedly, HCC posted that it is a “myth” that methane emissions from cows are responsible for global warming.
According to the BBC report, HCC chief executive Jose Peralta subsequently defended the post saying that human activity was responsible for global warming and within human activity cattle production is one of them.
“The industry in Wales aspires to become a global leader in sustainable red meat.”
HCC spokesperson
When contacted by Meat Management magazine, a HCC spokesperson said: “All industries have their part to play in combatting climate change. Our recent work seeks to highlight the seriousness of global warming in this wider context.
“With Wales’ abundant grassland and natural high rainfall, it has the ideal conditions to produce high-quality, sustainable beef and lamb. Welsh red meat is produced in harmony with Wales’ natural environment, offering a range of environmental, economic and societal benefits to the people of Wales.
“The industry in Wales aspires to become a global leader in sustainable red meat as outlined through our strategy document The Welsh Way. As we develop and consult on our vision for the industry up to 2030 we will continue on this path, collaborating with researchers and academic institutions across the UK and beyond on the topics of environmental sustainability, an area of scientific research which is constantly evolving. We welcome dialogue and debate with all groups around this shared vision.”
Reportedly responding to the BBC story, the Welsh Government said that HCC was an independent body and it was for HCC to decide what it publishes on social media, adding that “we would however, like any other body, expect them to be accurate and evidence-based”.
