Europeans may need to cut beef and mutton consumption by 50 per cent to meet greenhouse-gas emissions targets.

The new study says Europeans could  continue eating pork and chicken at current rates.

The study appears in the February issue of the journal Food Policy.

It takes productivity gains into account.

“Under optimistic assumptions, these developments could cut current food-related methane and nitrous oxide emissions by nearly 50 percent.

“However, also dietary changes will almost certainly be necessary,” the study says.

“Large reductions, by 50 percent or more, in ruminant meat (beef and mutton) consumption are, most likely, unavoidable if the EU targets are to be met. In contrast, continued high per-capita consumption of pork and poultry meat or dairy products might be accommodated within the climate targets.”