We must eat less meat

SIR – We were surprised to read Matt Ridley’s article (“The war on meat has begun, and there are many reasons to join the resistance”, Comment, August 11), given the large body of scientific research showing the serious negative effects of a diet high in meat.

Animal agriculture causes over half of food-related greenhouse gas emissions and only provides 18 per cent of our calories. It is also a major driver of deforestation. The primary cause of habitat destruction across Latin America is the conversion of land to livestock pasture and soy for animal feed. Red meat is particularly damaging due to methane emissions and the extensive land requirements of cattle, goats and sheep.

Cutting down on meat is also the healthier option. Large-scale studies have shown that eating less meat is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and numerous cancers.

This isn’t about forcing veganism on the world; it’s about realising that British consumers are eating too much meat, which is putting a lot of pressure on our planet and our health. Dr Niki Rust

Newcastle University Dr Laura Kehoe University of Oxford Nicolas Treich

Toulouse School of Economics and INRA Toulouse, Occitanie, France