CLIMATE CONSCIOUS consumers are being urged to add British lamb to their shopping baskets over the Christmas period.

With consumers growing increasingly conscious about how their food choices impact on the environment, the National Sheep Association has highlighted the sustainable credentials of lamb – and pointed out that despite much discussion about red meat's contribution to climate change, more recent research suggests that traditional pasture-based grazing systems, such as those adopted by the majority of the UK’s sheep farmers, can actually be part of a wider solution to this issue.

As such, the NSA insisted that free-range, extensively produced sheep meat was a great choice year-round, and especially at times of celebration such as Christmas.

Chief executive Phil Stocker explained: “The UK sheep industry operates extensively on open pasture, much of which is unsuitable for other land use. Grass-fed lamb has a far lower environmental impact compared to processed foods and crucially grassland (pasture) also acts as a vital carbon sink.

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“Sheep reared in mixed farming systems help naturally rejuvenate soil for arable crops, and farmers of all different types work hard to find a balance between biodiversity and productivity on farm, providing thriving habitats to support and protect nature," he said. "For all these reasons NSA believes it is a great choice to enjoy this Christmas.

“Consumers choosing to enjoy lamb this Christmas, we believe, will not be disappointed and hopefully it will encourage the continued consumption of this wonderful, healthy meat into the New Year," he continued. "Lamb is a rich source of protein and provides seven essential vitamins and minerals (niacin, vitamins B6 and B12 and zinc and a source of potassium, phosphorus and pantothenic acid) that support nutritional wellbeing. And of course, it is a meat that is full of flavour, produced naturally by the nation’s hard-working sheep farmers.”