Our guide to the British livestock industry sets out the beef farming facts on climate change and the environment, red meat and diet, as well as the high animal welfare standards that British farmers adhere to. Plus we've got stories straight from the British farmers who produce our quality beef and lamb.
Livestock, climate change and the environment
British livestock are part of the climate change solution: Watch our video to find out how cows and sheep help to manage valuable carbon stores as they graze:
Red meat, diet and nutrition
Animal health and welfare

Animal welfare: Did you know...
- The Animal Protection Index, which ranks countries around the world for their commitments to improving animal welfare, identified as the UK as one of only four countries to receive the highest grade.
- UK farmers don’t add hormones to their cattle’s diet, which is common in other parts of the world in order to ensure faster growth and minimise production costs.
What’s the truth about red meat in the UK?
British beef and lamb is well known for being produced to high standards and tastes great. Red Tractor's latest campaign seeks to set the record straight on British red meat. From world leading food standards and animal welfare, to environmentally conscious and sustainable farming - Richard, who farms in Berkshire tells us the truth behind the headlines explaining how he cares for his animals and meets world leading welfare standards.
Supporting the British beef and sheep industries
When shopping in the supermarket, remember to check the food labels for the Red Tractor logo and British flag, and if buying from a local butcher you can always ask where the meat has come from. Take a look at our Buying Guide to find out which retailers are backing British beef and lamb.
Meet the beef farmers

Further information on UK beef production and the British livestock industry
The list below includes useful links if you'd like to know more about the work of the UK beef and sheep industries, red meat and diet, climate change, farming's net zero ambition and the environment.
- Watch now: Universities hear how British red meat is part of solution to climate crisis
- British farming's ambition to be net zero by 2040
- How is agriculture part of the solution to climate change?
- Red Tractor's latest campaign on red meat
- Red meat and the environment: The Facts - AHDB
- Red meat and nutrition: The Facts - AHDB
- Simply Beef and Lamb
- Red meat - the journey from farm to fork - Meat and Education
- Farming statistics - final land use, livestock populations and agricultural workforce as at 1 June 2018, England - Gov.UK
- Visualising the impacts of a reduction in beef and sheep farming on some of England’s most cherished landscapes - AHDB
- Delivering Britain's Clean Energy From The Land - NFU 2016
- British Livestock and Climate Change - NFU 2017
- Does red meat cause cancer? Blogspot
- British Wool
- Campaign for Wool
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