The NFU has stressed this week that although it welcomes the government’s report into the draft Climate Change Bill, it has concerns about some of the report’s recommendations.

The report, which looked into the government’s long-term goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recommended that the government’s targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent by 2050 should be made legally binding.

The NFU applauded the opportunities the bill will provide for growers and farmers through the production of renewable fuels and bioenergy, storing carbon in soil and vegetation and by producing biogas from digesters.

NFU president Peter Kendall said: “We welcome the bill as a great opportunity for British agriculture to help in climate change mitigation, emissions reduction and helping to deliver a more sustainable UK society and economy.”

However, the NFU raised concerns on some of the report’s recommendations, particularly on the point that there is a need for close monitoring of greenhouse gases other than just carbon dioxide.

“The NFU acknowledges this, and that the farming industry needs to take responsibility for these gases, but will need sound research and development before measures to reduce them should be implemented,” said Kendall.

The NFU was also apprehensive over the report’s proposal for annual milestones. It raised the point that the farming industry may be affected by seasonal weather alterations, making annual targets difficult to meet. Inflexible and tough greenhouse gas targets could also risk exporting the farming industry to countries with less stringent targets.

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