Whilst the UK has an abundant grass resource suited to feeding ruminant animals, low opportunity cost feed sources suited to pigs and poultry are far more limited. This would mean that the number of animals supported by a low opportunity cost feed system would be far lower than today. But our research found that even this reduced availability of meat, dairy and eggs would likely still be enough to fulfil internationally recognised recommendations for healthy diets. This is in part because in the UK we currently over-consume calories, protein and animal-source foods. Our remaining protein requirements could be met by plant-based foods, with only a proportion of the land previously used for animal feed needed to grow additional plant protein. The rest would be freed up for other uses.

While many questions remain, the report clearly demonstrates the potential benefits that could come from significantly decreasing cereals and soy in livestock feed and prioritising animal nutrition from low opportunity cost sources. This work received wide coverage in the media including Channel 4 News, BBC Radio, Evening Standard, Farmers Guardian, Business Green and the Grocery Gazette.