[JFDI]

·      Just under 65% of our farmland is only suitable for growing grass to feed cattle and sheep

·      There were 2.1 million cattle and 14.5 million sheep slaughtered in the UK in 2011, supplying over 1.2 million tonnes of meat to the food chain.

·      Without grazing cattle and sheep, great swathes of land across the UK could not be used to feed our growing population.

I thought that was interesting

[deepinthewoods]

that is useful. Thanks

[tizaala]

Great stuff, there are more sheep than people in Wales.

[SteveHants]

65% eh? Thats useful to know. I've always wanted a figure to put to those who say that producing meat is a waste of resources. Theres this daft vege figure banded about which says that you could produce more food if you only grew crops. Iforget what it is now, shows a spectacular lack of geography knowledge whatever.

[SallyintNorth]

I'd also love to see an unbiased analysis of local extensive dairy farming versus importing soya (for) milk.

[deepinthewoods]

now that would be a stat to see. i shall have a rummage....