Council blasted over calls to cut red meat
Tory MSP and farmers hit out at local authority’s posts
A Tory MSP has joined farmers in blasting South Ayrshire Council – after they called for a 75 per cent cut in red meat production.
Brian Whittle said the message on the council’s official Twitter feed was “simplistic and superficial”.
A furious backlash greeted the post, which also appeared on the local authority’s Facebook page, with hundreds voicing their anger.
Both messages were hastily deleted.
In the posts, the council said it was supporting work towards a “carbon neutral planet by 2050”.
It also called for an increase in vegetable production by 75 per cent and an increase in seed and nut production by over 150 per cent.
Mr Whittle said the council’s
message served to “talk down the substantial efforts of Scottish farmers to rear cattle in a sustainable way”.
The South Scotland MSP said: “I’m pleased that South Ayrshire Council want to help Scotland reach net zero carbon emissions, but tweeting out simplistic and superficial statements which fail to recognise Scotland’s more sustainable approach to red meat production put the livelihoods of farmers and food producers at risk.
“Scotland’s agricultural sector is hugely valuable to our economy, especially in rural areas like Ayrshire.
“Every farmer I’ve ever spoken to recognises their responsibilities to the environment and is putting time, money and effort into reducing their environmental impact.
“If South Ayrshire Council are serious about cutting carbon emissions, they could start by buying more local produce for school meals instead of buying it in, often from other countries.
“We should be promoting the efforts of Scotland’s farmers to protect the environment, not talking them down.
“Supporting local shops and buying more local produce is the easiest step anyone can take to reduce the carbon footprint of their diet. I’m determined to support Scotland’s farmers and food producers to continue to lower their environmental impact and give them a strong, sustainable future.”
Scores from the farming industry were among those to criticise the posts online.
Alan Thom said: “As chairman of South Ayrshire National Farmers Union I am amazed and appalled at South Ayrshire Council’s statements in this post.
“You as a council have displayed a perfect example of your ignorance.”
Gareth Hughes Jones added: “This is shocking! Coming from a nation with such a big farming background, you should be ashamed to be posting this.
“I hope you quickly educate yourselves and realise that this is a mistake.”
And Willie Steele said: “How can a council body who’s supposed to represent everyone in South Ayrshire have such an incorrect, biased and one sided view?
“This is a disgrace. Whoever posted this on behalf of the council needs their P45 immediately. Ill informed nonsense.”
A council spokesperson claimed their posts were part of an ongoing approach to “Climate Change awareness”.
But they stressed the messages – which were branded with the council’s logos – were “not South Ayrshire Council policy”.