Could going vegetarian reduce emissions?

Experts have claimed that farming British lamb is harming the environment.

The study found that the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in association with the lamb industry is much higher than previously thought.

In fact, the level of emissions thought to come from meat is twice as much as thought last year.

Turning vegetarian could be most efficient way to reduce emissions.

"Growing food for sheep, cows and pigs takes up far more land and emits more greenhouse gases than producing crops for human consumption," reports The Daily Mail.

Britain is thought to have one of the worst meat-making processes.

Some experts have said that importing meat from places such as New Zealand instead of making it in Britain would help reduce emissions.

New Zealand has a more efficient process that doesn't produce as many harmful greenhouse gases.

The study claims that food production accounts for a whopping 29 per cent of greenhouse gases that aren't formed naturally.

This figure could be cut down dramatically if farmers thought about the way they produce their meat, if the meat was to be imported instead.

It is not just greenhouse gases that can disrupt the environment when it comes to meat production.

Unless the proceeds are well managed, manure and other substances from livestock processes can cause water contamination.

It is not all negative however. If the manure is handled properly, it can have environmental benefits, for example maintaining soil fertility.

Manure handled correctly can also have environmental benefits as a renewable energy source.

Many countries could make big cost savings by cutting emissions, Bruce Campbell, head of the CGIAR (the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) research programme on climate change, agriculture and food security says.

"There are good economic reasons to improve efficiency in agriculture, not just to cut greenhouse gas emissions," he says.