I appreciate your posts, as it’s becoming clear that this idea of preserving biodiversity in wildlife preserves that we manage, but not for food, is a myopic way of looking at biodiversity.
The English countryside is teeming with wildlife, as well as livestock.
The hedgerows are an ingenious, traditional network of wildlife corridors.
I have long been pondering why animal farming, generally, is vilified, rather than correctly identifying factory farming as the primary culprit of agricultural pollution.
I keep thinking about the laws in the UK, somewhat relaxed now, restricting hunting to the upper classes.
I think instead of granting aristocrats exclusive hunting rights and vast land holdings, though some still get that, a religion has been created for the masses to follow:
Eating plants, crickets and such, which are grown in vast factory farms is ‘virtuous’.
Huge, pesticide-laden monocultures of corn are required to “feed the world”.
Lab grown meat is more “net zero” than pasture grown meat.
Giving up land, for vast mechanized farms and biodiversity preserves, to live in a tiny house or pod will “save the planet”.
Those are the rules for the peasants.
The wealthy will be able to eat, hunt and generally do what they want on their vast, private estates or they will be the only ones able to afford to do so on ‘our’ biodiversity preserves.
What do you think?
Is there a vast conspiracy to create an economic, cricket-eating class for the wealthy to rule over…
or, has a rank and absurd political ideology simply metastasized across our academic institutions, media and governments?
The concept of being a conservative, who wants to protect traditional values and practices has been vilified.
Isn’t that odd, given how much progressive ideology elevates the creation of ‘preserves’ for ‘conservation’ purposes.
There haven’t been truly wild places since humans have inhabited basically everywhere. Isn’t it artificial for us to pretend that a wildlife preserve can mimic a human-free landscape?
Why can’t biodiversity be something we live amidst instead of keeping it sequestered and ‘out there’?
You’ve raised some really thought-provoking points here, and honestly, the idea of a future where only the wealthy have access to real food while the rest are left with ultra-processed alternatives is a genuinely unsettling one. I hadn’t framed it quite like that before, but when you look at some of the policies and theories being discussed, it’s not hard to see how those concerns could play out if we’re not careful.
I completely agree that biodiversity is too often used as a catch-all justification for sidelining livestock and small-scale farming, when in reality, traditional mixed farming and rewilding can absolutely work hand in hand. Hedgerows, grazing animals, and well-managed farmland are all part of a genuinely biodiverse countryside something we risk losing if we keep pushing everything into “preserves” and monocultures.
It’s frustrating to see the conversation get so polarised, with factory farming and all livestock lumped together as the problem, rather than looking at the nuance. Like you, I believe biodiversity should be something we live alongside, not just something we keep “out there” for show.
Ultimately, I think we still have time to push back against these one-size-fits-all agendas and shape a food system that values both nature and people. Thanks for sharing your perspective it’s a conversation we need to keep having. Do you see any signs of hope or positive change where you are?
The big question I’m left with though, after reading this way of looking at it, is…
If we switched all farming to nature friendly, regenerative methods, with the right stocking densities etc to capture carbon and let nature really thrive too, would we still produce enough meat for everyone to eat meat two or even three times per day?
There’s loads I agree with here. Factory and intensive farming is the really damaging thing for the environment and climate. The focus on net zero often misses out biodiversity, which is just as important.
But I don’t think it’s entirely fair to frame everyone who advocates less meat as wanting to force feed people crickets or advocate lab grown meat.
I eat meat about once a week on average, maybe a bit less, yet I’ve never eaten either of those things. By buying most of my veg from Riverford, the rest from U.K. farms, and being good at cooking, I still have an exciting, varied seasonal diet. Yes I eat tempeh or tofu once a week-ish too, and it’s still complicated where and how the chickpeas or tomatoes in the tin were grown, but I still believe it’s more sustainable.
Why can’t eating x% less meat each just mean having a panzanella for lunch in summer, or a slaw for lunch in winter?
My understanding is that if we stopped factory farming everywhere (brilliant) then we wouldn’t have enough meat for everyone to eat it two or three times a day like now.
Luke, you’ve absolutely nailed the central question and honestly, it’s one I don’t think anyone can answer with certainty right now. If we switched entirely to nature-friendly, regenerative farming, could we produce enough high-welfare meat for everyone to eat it as often as they do now? I’m not sure we could (Although Id like to believe its possible), at least not without some big changes to how we think about food.
I completely agree with you: the real issue is intensive, factory-style farming, not meat itself. And you’re right, not everyone advocating for less meat is pushing for crickets or lab-grown alternatives! Like you, I still eat the occasional meat-free meal, but I prefer it to be made from real, whole foods actual vegetables, grains, or legumes not ultra-processed substitutes designed to mimic meat.
What worries me most is how convenience and profit have led to such a disconnect from real food. A lot of what’s marketed as “plant-based” these days is just as ultra-processed as the worst supermarket meat products. I’d love to see us all eating less but much better quality meat: pasture-raised, high welfare, and ideally local. But, as you say, with our current population, that means a shift in habits and expectations.
So yes, I’m all for balance: less but better meat, and a real focus on what’s actually in our food. My main concern is making sure we don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater by demonising all livestock farming, when it can be part of a genuinely sustainable system.
Thanks so much for raising this your perspective and practical approach are spot on. How do you find sourcing good quality meat and veg works for you in practice?
This breaks my heart. This whole Net Zero thing is such a con. This is all about big businesses, profit and wanting to control the food supply. It's alarming and appalling. I'd heard about the eating bugs thing, less meat, etc. but I thought it was a bit of a myth and didn't realise it was already threatening our farmers. Meat is actually critical for our health. All this Frankenfood they want to replace it with is unknown. Who knows what the health risks of consuming it long-term are? People don't actually want this. 😞 What can everyday people like me do to try and help stop this?
Thank you for sharing this it really resonates, and I completely understand your concern. The pace and scale of these changes can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like the voices of small farmers and everyday people are being drowned out by big business interests.
You’re absolutely right many of these policies are being pushed through without enough consideration for the real-world impact on farmers, rural communities, or our food security. And you’re not alone in questioning the long-term effects of “Frankenfood” there are still so many unknowns.
The good news is, there are things we can do. Supporting local farmers, whether that’s buying direct, joining a local box scheme, or even just spreading awareness makes a real difference. Staying informed, asking questions, and holding decision-makers accountable (even if it’s just by emailing your MP or sharing posts like this) helps keep the conversation going. And honestly, every time someone speaks up, it reminds others they’re not alone in feeling uneasy about these changes.
Thank you for caring and for being part of this community. If you ever want to chat more or have ideas for action, I’m all ears. Have you found any local producers you love supporting?
Thank you for your reply, Helen. I will keep emailing my Labour MP even though I've not heard back from the previous emails I've sent her. I am also determined to start buying more food from local farmers. We have a good farm shop nearby, Grange Farm Shop in Hasketon, and in Woodbridge nearby there is a proper greengrocers and butcher's shop. There's also a weekly farmers market there. I'll be honest, with 3 teenage children I buy from my local Tescos because it's cheaper. Money is tight and increasingly so, as for most people. However, this is such an important issue, I will see what changes I can make. It's about changing habits. I've been saying I will do this for ages but I really will now. And I believe farmers should receive fair pay for what they do. I wish everyone's pay was sufficient that we could all afford more decent food rather than having to buy cheap inferior food. Nevertheless, I'm sure we can all make changes if we think creatively.
Your determination to keep pushing for change, even when it feels like you’re not being heard is inspiring. It really does make some difference on a local scale eventually, even if it takes time for MPs (or anyone in power) to respond.
I completely get what you mean about the cost of food, especially with teenagers to feed and budgets being stretched tighter than ever. It’s a huge challenge for so many families right now. I think you’re spot on: it’s about small, creative changes where we can, not about being perfect or feeling guilty for shopping at supermarkets when we need to.
It’s brilliant to hear you’ve got access to places like Grange Farm Shop and the local markets just picking up a few things there when possible is a real win for local producers. And honestly, every little bit helps keep those businesses going and sends a message about what we value.
I totally agree farmers absolutely deserve fair pay for the work they do, and I wish good food was accessible to everyone. Until then, supporting each other and sharing ideas is so important. If you ever find a great local producer or have tips that work for your family, I’d love to hear about them! Thank you again for being part of this conversation.
So should net emissions from meat production be excluded from any consideration of climate change policy?
If we should not eat less meat, what is your point of reference for what' the right level is? Patterns of consumption of animal protein in the UK, including the mix of red and white meat, have changed a lot over the past 50 years.
I hate the whole climate change/ Net Zero nonsense.
I would take a hell of a lot of cow farts to make up for one volcano fart.
I loved this Nicholas, cow farts over volcano farts 🌋
I appreciate your posts, as it’s becoming clear that this idea of preserving biodiversity in wildlife preserves that we manage, but not for food, is a myopic way of looking at biodiversity.
The English countryside is teeming with wildlife, as well as livestock.
The hedgerows are an ingenious, traditional network of wildlife corridors.
I have long been pondering why animal farming, generally, is vilified, rather than correctly identifying factory farming as the primary culprit of agricultural pollution.
I keep thinking about the laws in the UK, somewhat relaxed now, restricting hunting to the upper classes.
I think instead of granting aristocrats exclusive hunting rights and vast land holdings, though some still get that, a religion has been created for the masses to follow:
Eating plants, crickets and such, which are grown in vast factory farms is ‘virtuous’.
Huge, pesticide-laden monocultures of corn are required to “feed the world”.
Lab grown meat is more “net zero” than pasture grown meat.
Giving up land, for vast mechanized farms and biodiversity preserves, to live in a tiny house or pod will “save the planet”.
Those are the rules for the peasants.
The wealthy will be able to eat, hunt and generally do what they want on their vast, private estates or they will be the only ones able to afford to do so on ‘our’ biodiversity preserves.
What do you think?
Is there a vast conspiracy to create an economic, cricket-eating class for the wealthy to rule over…
or, has a rank and absurd political ideology simply metastasized across our academic institutions, media and governments?
The concept of being a conservative, who wants to protect traditional values and practices has been vilified.
Isn’t that odd, given how much progressive ideology elevates the creation of ‘preserves’ for ‘conservation’ purposes.
There haven’t been truly wild places since humans have inhabited basically everywhere. Isn’t it artificial for us to pretend that a wildlife preserve can mimic a human-free landscape?
Why can’t biodiversity be something we live amidst instead of keeping it sequestered and ‘out there’?
You’ve raised some really thought-provoking points here, and honestly, the idea of a future where only the wealthy have access to real food while the rest are left with ultra-processed alternatives is a genuinely unsettling one. I hadn’t framed it quite like that before, but when you look at some of the policies and theories being discussed, it’s not hard to see how those concerns could play out if we’re not careful.
I completely agree that biodiversity is too often used as a catch-all justification for sidelining livestock and small-scale farming, when in reality, traditional mixed farming and rewilding can absolutely work hand in hand. Hedgerows, grazing animals, and well-managed farmland are all part of a genuinely biodiverse countryside something we risk losing if we keep pushing everything into “preserves” and monocultures.
It’s frustrating to see the conversation get so polarised, with factory farming and all livestock lumped together as the problem, rather than looking at the nuance. Like you, I believe biodiversity should be something we live alongside, not just something we keep “out there” for show.
Ultimately, I think we still have time to push back against these one-size-fits-all agendas and shape a food system that values both nature and people. Thanks for sharing your perspective it’s a conversation we need to keep having. Do you see any signs of hope or positive change where you are?
The big question I’m left with though, after reading this way of looking at it, is…
If we switched all farming to nature friendly, regenerative methods, with the right stocking densities etc to capture carbon and let nature really thrive too, would we still produce enough meat for everyone to eat meat two or even three times per day?
There’s loads I agree with here. Factory and intensive farming is the really damaging thing for the environment and climate. The focus on net zero often misses out biodiversity, which is just as important.
But I don’t think it’s entirely fair to frame everyone who advocates less meat as wanting to force feed people crickets or advocate lab grown meat.
I eat meat about once a week on average, maybe a bit less, yet I’ve never eaten either of those things. By buying most of my veg from Riverford, the rest from U.K. farms, and being good at cooking, I still have an exciting, varied seasonal diet. Yes I eat tempeh or tofu once a week-ish too, and it’s still complicated where and how the chickpeas or tomatoes in the tin were grown, but I still believe it’s more sustainable.
Why can’t eating x% less meat each just mean having a panzanella for lunch in summer, or a slaw for lunch in winter?
My understanding is that if we stopped factory farming everywhere (brilliant) then we wouldn’t have enough meat for everyone to eat it two or three times a day like now.
Luke, you’ve absolutely nailed the central question and honestly, it’s one I don’t think anyone can answer with certainty right now. If we switched entirely to nature-friendly, regenerative farming, could we produce enough high-welfare meat for everyone to eat it as often as they do now? I’m not sure we could (Although Id like to believe its possible), at least not without some big changes to how we think about food.
I completely agree with you: the real issue is intensive, factory-style farming, not meat itself. And you’re right, not everyone advocating for less meat is pushing for crickets or lab-grown alternatives! Like you, I still eat the occasional meat-free meal, but I prefer it to be made from real, whole foods actual vegetables, grains, or legumes not ultra-processed substitutes designed to mimic meat.
What worries me most is how convenience and profit have led to such a disconnect from real food. A lot of what’s marketed as “plant-based” these days is just as ultra-processed as the worst supermarket meat products. I’d love to see us all eating less but much better quality meat: pasture-raised, high welfare, and ideally local. But, as you say, with our current population, that means a shift in habits and expectations.
So yes, I’m all for balance: less but better meat, and a real focus on what’s actually in our food. My main concern is making sure we don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater by demonising all livestock farming, when it can be part of a genuinely sustainable system.
Thanks so much for raising this your perspective and practical approach are spot on. How do you find sourcing good quality meat and veg works for you in practice?
This breaks my heart. This whole Net Zero thing is such a con. This is all about big businesses, profit and wanting to control the food supply. It's alarming and appalling. I'd heard about the eating bugs thing, less meat, etc. but I thought it was a bit of a myth and didn't realise it was already threatening our farmers. Meat is actually critical for our health. All this Frankenfood they want to replace it with is unknown. Who knows what the health risks of consuming it long-term are? People don't actually want this. 😞 What can everyday people like me do to try and help stop this?
Thank you for sharing this it really resonates, and I completely understand your concern. The pace and scale of these changes can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like the voices of small farmers and everyday people are being drowned out by big business interests.
You’re absolutely right many of these policies are being pushed through without enough consideration for the real-world impact on farmers, rural communities, or our food security. And you’re not alone in questioning the long-term effects of “Frankenfood” there are still so many unknowns.
The good news is, there are things we can do. Supporting local farmers, whether that’s buying direct, joining a local box scheme, or even just spreading awareness makes a real difference. Staying informed, asking questions, and holding decision-makers accountable (even if it’s just by emailing your MP or sharing posts like this) helps keep the conversation going. And honestly, every time someone speaks up, it reminds others they’re not alone in feeling uneasy about these changes.
Thank you for caring and for being part of this community. If you ever want to chat more or have ideas for action, I’m all ears. Have you found any local producers you love supporting?
Thank you for your reply, Helen. I will keep emailing my Labour MP even though I've not heard back from the previous emails I've sent her. I am also determined to start buying more food from local farmers. We have a good farm shop nearby, Grange Farm Shop in Hasketon, and in Woodbridge nearby there is a proper greengrocers and butcher's shop. There's also a weekly farmers market there. I'll be honest, with 3 teenage children I buy from my local Tescos because it's cheaper. Money is tight and increasingly so, as for most people. However, this is such an important issue, I will see what changes I can make. It's about changing habits. I've been saying I will do this for ages but I really will now. And I believe farmers should receive fair pay for what they do. I wish everyone's pay was sufficient that we could all afford more decent food rather than having to buy cheap inferior food. Nevertheless, I'm sure we can all make changes if we think creatively.
Your determination to keep pushing for change, even when it feels like you’re not being heard is inspiring. It really does make some difference on a local scale eventually, even if it takes time for MPs (or anyone in power) to respond.
I completely get what you mean about the cost of food, especially with teenagers to feed and budgets being stretched tighter than ever. It’s a huge challenge for so many families right now. I think you’re spot on: it’s about small, creative changes where we can, not about being perfect or feeling guilty for shopping at supermarkets when we need to.
It’s brilliant to hear you’ve got access to places like Grange Farm Shop and the local markets just picking up a few things there when possible is a real win for local producers. And honestly, every little bit helps keep those businesses going and sends a message about what we value.
I totally agree farmers absolutely deserve fair pay for the work they do, and I wish good food was accessible to everyone. Until then, supporting each other and sharing ideas is so important. If you ever find a great local producer or have tips that work for your family, I’d love to hear about them! Thank you again for being part of this conversation.
So should net emissions from meat production be excluded from any consideration of climate change policy?
If we should not eat less meat, what is your point of reference for what' the right level is? Patterns of consumption of animal protein in the UK, including the mix of red and white meat, have changed a lot over the past 50 years.
Thank you. And thank you, Helen, for helping to keep these issues top of mind.