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The argument that as the UK has a tonne of pasture, cows are therefore the best thing to grow here, is ridiculous.
The UK used to be covered in forest - this is how the environment should naturally be. Our huge pasture coverage exists because of historical deforestation.
The UK used to be covered in forest - this is how the environment should naturally be. Our huge pasture coverage exists because of historical deforestation.
Nowadays, 60% of UK land is indeed pasture, on which we graze huge numbers of cows and sheep while feeling terribly smug about how great we are at farming.
It's easy to pretend the pasture has always been there, but it hasn't. It's artificial habitat.
It's easy to pretend the pasture has always been there, but it hasn't. It's artificial habitat.
If I cleared a patch of woodland, paved over it and then said: "This is the perfect place to park cars", people would rightfully call me out.
However, we let farmers use the same argument with pasture because deforestation didn't happen in our lifetime. We can ignore that bit.
However, we let farmers use the same argument with pasture because deforestation didn't happen in our lifetime. We can ignore that bit.
Today, England has approximately 13% forest cover, 2% shy of levels recorded in the Domesday Book (following centuries of felling).
Many other European countries average about 37% coverage, so England still has one of the continent's lowest levels.
Many other European countries average about 37% coverage, so England still has one of the continent's lowest levels.
We need to stop pretending that the UK, England in particular, naturally developed into the 'perfect place for cows'.
Bring back the trees, bring back the native wildlife. Less livestock, more nature, please.
Bring back the trees, bring back the native wildlife. Less livestock, more nature, please.
