Livestock levy a lot of hot air

Sir, – Investor network FAIRR has produced a report entitled The Livestock Levy, warning of the meat industry’s harmful impacts on both human health and the environment.

The report further warns UK farmers to prepare for a new methane tax on cows.

Worldwide, the livestock industry is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Where do they get these people?

There are 1.4 billion cattle, 1bn sheep and 2bn pigs in the world.

There are 9.7 million cattle, 23m sheep and 4.2m pigs in the UK.

The FAIRR should take their report to Argentina, where I am sure they would get a warm welcome.

Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.

Filling that gap with power from sunshine and wind does seem rather optimistic. Some would say downright reckless.

Malcolm Parkin. Kinnesswood, Kinross.

Federation chairperson, Calum Steele, to answer.

In his response on Twitter to Liberal Democrat MSP, Liam McArthur, Mr Steele said “there are many reasons the police face this ‘budget black hole’ but without any shadow of doubt two of the biggest sit squarely with the Lib Dems”.

“It was the Lib Dems who when in coalition government commenced the swingeing cuts to public expenditure.

“These cuts have put almost immeasurable financial stress on... public service.”

Mr Steele produced a graph showing “the sheer level of cuts to public expenditure... as a