Ground breaking project to help beef farmers reduce carbon footprint

The beef industry has the capacity to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions significantly through relatively small changes in farm practices and supply chain efficiencies, according to The E-CO2 Project - an independent rural consultancy and energy auditing company.

It has just started to roll out a major project for McDonald's, one of Europe's largest beef buyers. The programme will use the world's most sophisticated on farm greenhouse gas calculator, developed byThe E-CO2 Project and accredited by The Carbon Trust, to measure each farm's emissions. A total of 350 beef farms in the UK and Ireland will be visited by April  2010, specialist consultants working with the farmers to help them bring about reductions through natural farming practices and supply chain efficiencies.

"There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about the greenhouse gas   emissions associated with livestock production. This model will for the first time bring transparent data from real farms to accurately inform that debate", said Peter Darlington, a Director of The E-CO2 Project.

"We have been working successfully for some time now to reduce carbon emissions in many areas of our business.  We are very excited by the developmen of this ground breaking project which we are piloting in the UK and which will help drive further reductions in our beef supply chain. At the same time it should also deliver real financial  benefits to the farmer" said Steve Easterbrook, Chief Executive of McDonald's UK.

The E-CO2 Project is confident that through action at farm level, the beef industry can reduce  emissions in line with the targets set for climate change initiatives.

"We think we can bring about significant reductions by harnessing the efficiencies of dairy beef, by improving existing suckler cow farming techniques and practices, and by generating further supply chain efficiencies. Our advice will help farmers do this by improving their existing farming methods," added Peter Darlington. "Relatively small  changes can result in carbon savings on beef farms."

For further information please contact

The E-CO2 Project on 01270 522645.

About McDonald's Europe

McDonald's Europe is the region's leading foodservice retailer with more than 6,600 restaurants in 39 countries, sourcing over 95% of key agricultural raw materials from within Europe and serving over 12 million customers a day. Almost 70% of McDonald's restaurants in Europe are owned and operated by independent local business men and  women. Further information:  www.mcdpressoffice.eu

About McDonald's UK

McDonald's UK has 1200 restaurants in Britain and Northern Ireland, using only British and Irish beef in its burgers and sourcing over 60% of its key ingredients from the UK.   McDonald's UK serves over 2 million customers a day and almost 60% of McDonald's  restaurants in the UK are owned and operated by independent local business men and women.

January 2010