Government says eat less meat to save planet

By Avril Ormsby

LONDON (Reuters) - Eating less meat and dairy could help tackle climate change by reducing the amount of methane gas emitted by cows and sheep, a government agency says.

In an email leaked to a vegetarian campaign group, Viva, an Environment Agency official expressed sympathy for the green benefits of a vegan diet, which bans all animal product foods.

The official said the government may in future recommend eating less meat as one of the "key environmental behaviour changes" needed to combat climate change.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has already announced it is looking into the benefits of low environmental impact diets, including reducing the amount of animal protein eaten.

The email was written by an agency official to a member of the public who had written to support a vegan diet.

"Whilst potential benefit of a vegan diet in terms of climate impact could be very significant, encouraging the public to take a lifestyle decision as substantial as becoming vegan would be a request few are likely to take up," it said.

"You will be interested to hear that Defra is working on a set of key environmental behaviour changes to mitigate climate change. Consumption of animal protein has been highlighted within that work.

"As a result, the issue may start to figure in climate change communications in the future. It will be a case of introducing this gently as there is a risk of alienating the public majority."