It’s one of the most famous Scottish dishes, enjoyed on Burns Night every year. 

But experts are calling on meat lovers in Scotland to have less haggis and more neeps and tatties. 

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh say that cutting down on beef, lamb, and pork could help to curb climate change

If everyone ate no more than the dietary recommendation of 70g of meat per day, Scotland could reduce its total red meat consumption by 16 per cent, according to the researchers. 

Professor Lindsay Jaacks, Personal Chair of Global Health and Nutrition at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘There is no question that we need to change our diets to reduce our impact on the planet.’

It's one of the most famous Scottish dishes, enjoyed on Burns Night every year. But experts are calling on meat lovers in Scotland to have less haggis and more neeps and tatties (stock image)

It's one of the most famous Scottish dishes, enjoyed on Burns Night every year. But experts are calling on meat lovers in Scotland to have less haggis and more neeps and tatties (stock image)

It’s one of the most famous Scottish dishes, enjoyed on Burns Night every year. But experts are calling on meat lovers in Scotland to have less haggis and more neeps and tatties (stock image)

The study looked at data from the Scottish Health Survey 2021 which asked 3,400 adults about their dietary and health habits.

The researchers discovered that a significant number of people in Scotland are eating well over the recommended amount of red meat and dairy.

On any given day, 86 per cent of Scots will eat at least one type of meat, while 99 per cent will consume some type of dairy product.

Among meat consumers, the average daily intake was 96g; 32g of which was processed meat and 26g of which came from red meat.

Beef alone accounted for a quarter of all meat consumed in the country, with spaghetti bolognese being a particularly common meal. 

This graph shows how many men and women eat meat in Scotland. Men are more likely to be regular meat eaters than women and eat all types of meat more frequently

This graph shows how many men and women eat meat in Scotland. Men are more likely to be regular meat eaters than women and eat all types of meat more frequently

This graph shows how many men and women eat meat in Scotland. Men are more likely to be regular meat eaters than women and eat all types of meat more frequently

How does eating meat impact climate change?

Meat-heavy diets risk the health of our planet, as livestock farming on a massive scale destroys habitats and generates greenhouse gases.

Animal agriculture contributes to global warming because of the methane, nitrous oxide and carbon emissions of livestock and their supply chains.

The clearing of trees to make way for grazing cattle also reduces carbon sequestration – the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

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However, high levels of red meat consumption have a big impact on the climate. 

Animal agriculture contributes to global warming because of the methane, nitrous oxide and carbon emissions of livestock and their supply chains.

A meat-heavy diet also contributes to ongoing deforestation in places like the Amazon Rainforest as large areas are cleared to make room for livestock farming.

A 2023 study from the University of Oxford found that eating 100g of meat per day – less than a single beef burger – produced four times more emissions than a plant-based alternative. 

The UK’s climate change committee has recommended that the Scottish government take action to encourage a 20 per cent reduction in all meat consumption by 2030.

To keep fighting climate change this figure would then need to rise to a 35 per cent reduction by 2050. 

While this might seem challenging, simply reducing the consumption of the biggest eaters would already get Scotland most of the way there.

If everyone who currently eats more than the recommended amount reduced consumption to 70g a day, total meat eating would fall 16 per cent.

The scientists say that only the biggest meat consumers would need to cut back. Medium and low consumers (left and middle) already eat around the recommended limit of 70g per day while high consumers  (right) exceed this

The scientists say that only the biggest meat consumers would need to cut back. Medium and low consumers (left and middle) already eat around the recommended limit of 70g per day while high consumers  (right) exceed this

The scientists say that only the biggest meat consumers would need to cut back. Medium and low consumers (left and middle) already eat around the recommended limit of 70g per day while high consumers  (right) exceed this

Meeting the 20 per cent reduction target only requires people to cut back to 60g of meat per day on average. 

Professor Jaacks said: Healthy and sustainable diets are all about balance.

‘We found that some people in Scotland are eating too much meat and could benefit from balancing their diet by replacing meat with other nutrient-rich foods available in Scotland such as vegetables, beans and oily fish.’

Cutting back on meat could also have a positive effect on the health of those making the change.

The study found that eating only 70g of red meat per day would lead to a small reduction in average BMI and avoid about 10,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over 10 years. 

Reducing the amount of red meat consumed would not only help Scotland meet its climate commitments but would also avoid 10,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years (file photo)

Reducing the amount of red meat consumed would not only help Scotland meet its climate commitments but would also avoid 10,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years (file photo)

Reducing the amount of red meat consumed would not only help Scotland meet its climate commitments but would also avoid 10,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years (file photo)

However, the scientists caution that cutting back on meat consumption would not be a good move for everyone. 

On average, Scots get about 26 per cent of their energy and 42 per cent of their protein from dairy and meat products.

The researchers found that dropping meat eating won’t lead to any unhealthy loss of protein, but some people might miss out on important nutrients. 

Dr Fiona Comrie, senior public health nutritionist at Food Standards Scotland, says: ‘Although the assumption is that meat and dairy reductions would be of benefit to both climate change mitigation and human health, the reality is more complex.’

The scientists warn that most adults living in Scotland have low intakes of at least one important nutrient.

The experts say that not everyone should try and cut back. As these graphs show Scots get a large part of their protein and energy from dairy and meat but the biggest worry is that people might miss out on important micronutrients

The experts say that not everyone should try and cut back. As these graphs show Scots get a large part of their protein and energy from dairy and meat but the biggest worry is that people might miss out on important micronutrients

The experts say that not everyone should try and cut back. As these graphs show Scots get a large part of their protein and energy from dairy and meat but the biggest worry is that people might miss out on important micronutrients 

Young people in particular are already at a higher risk of nutrient insufficiency when compared to adults.

Scots get about half of their calcium, iodine, selenium, and zinc from meat and dairy as well as about three quarters of their iron intake.  

This means that without careful consideration of how to promote alternatives, some groups in Scotland might have their nutrient intake worsened if they cut down on meat. 

Dr Comrie added: ‘Given the diet of the Scottish population is so poor, particularly in some sub-groups, an “across the board” population reduction in meat and dairy consumption cannot be recommended.’ 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

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