WELSH agriculture is up for the net zero challenge, according to a union president.

NFU Cymru president John Davies has reiterated that improvements in productivity, carbon capture and renewable energy production are the most effective ways to realise ambitions of reaching net zero agricultural emissions by 2040.

Responding to recommendations by the UK Committee on Climate Change, Mr Davies said: “Welsh agriculture contributes 12 per cent to Wales’ overall emissions and we absolutely recognise the contribution we have to make in tackling climate change.

“That is why we are working towards the ambitious goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of agriculture in Wales and England by 2040, as a contribution to the Climate Change Committee’s proposed 2050 target.

"Our organisations are aligned: acting to tackle damaging climate change is vital.”

NFU Cymru is clear that achievement of net zero for agriculture will require a portfolio of policies and practices all working in combination with a focus in three key areas:

• Improving farming’s productive efficiency, to reduce GHG emissions.

• Farmland carbon storage in soils and vegetation – grassland, hedgerows, trees.

• Boosting renewable energy and the bioeconomy to avoid GHG emissions from fossil fuels and to create GHG removal through photosynthesis and carbon capture.