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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& #39;s easy to pretend the pasture has always been there, but it hasn& #39;t. It& #39;s artificial habitat.
It& #39;s easy to pretend the pasture has always been there, but it hasn& #39;t. It& #39;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& #39;t happen in our lifetime. We can ignore that bit.
However, we let farmers use the same argument with pasture because deforestation didn& #39;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& #39;s lowest levels.
Many other European countries average about 37% coverage, so England still has one of the continent& #39;s lowest levels.
