No easy answer

The article by Colin Barras on the carbon cost of eating meat vs vegan lifestyles (April, p62) was thought-provoking, especially the comparisons between different food sources. But there is a problem in converting pasture for growing crops. I live in Scotland, where much of the land is totally unsuitable for growing crops. Even trees find it difficult to take root in many areas. However, we do have huge numbers of cattle that produce milk as well as beef, and sheep that produce wool as well as mutton. Farmers here rely on their animals to provide their income.

There is no simple answer to the problem of the greenhouse effect, but any solution must take into account the people and lives being affected by any arbitrary changes to farming practice.

Kathy Turner