Government u-turn on cow cull?

- Published: 26 November, 2009

According to reports, it would appear the government is looking to distance itself from the suggestion it "endorsed" a report that called for a 30% reduction in livestock production (see report below).

According to BBC reporters and political insiders, the Department of Health failed to include Defra in its plans to champion the Lancet climate change report and, following comments from its more informed sister department, is rapidly backpedaling on the whole situation.

For the BBC's take on the situation, click here.

According to reports, the DoH is seeking to clarify, contrary to widespread newspaper headlines, that health secretary Andy Burnham, who it was also keen to point out is not a vegetarian, did not endorse the report, despite giving a speech at the launch of the report.