Herbert: Conservatives Back Global Alliance To Tackle Agricultural Emissions

Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert has announced that a future Conservative Government would join a new international initiative – the Global Alliance on agricultural emissions – to seek solutions to mitigate the contribution of farming to climate change.

In a speech on environmental policy at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, Nick Herbert committed to the partnership, launched in September by New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, in order to meet the twin challenges of increasing food production while reducing farm emissions.

Nick Herbert said:

“We cannot disregard the need for agriculture to make its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But nor should we expect agriculture to change practices in a way that handicaps our ability to meet the global food demand of 2030. The resources challenge in the decades ahead will rely on modern, productive agriculture to provide global food security. But we cannot permit more agricultural emissions in future just because we need to grow more food.

“We have to invest in the research and development now, in order that we can cut emissions without cutting production. This will require us to share best practice and pool expertise, so that we can find solutions quickly and pursue promising technologies at the earliest opportunity. Collaboration on policy and research for mitigating agricultural emissions is essential …. So today I want to announce that a future Conservative Government would plan to join the Global Alliance pioneered by New Zealand.”

Nick Herbert and Shadow Agriculture Minister Jim Paice have been visiting New Zealand to discuss issues of common interest in agricultural and environmental policy.

The Shadow Ministers have met key New Zealand Ministers, officials and industry representatives, visited farms and food processors, and attended the Royal New Zealand Show at Christchurch.

Issues discussed have included research into mitigating agricultural emissions, the control of bovine TB, food labelling, the need to ensure global food security, and the challenge of producing food to consumer demand.

ENDS