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Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Monday, 30 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2006. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Thursday, 9 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Greenhouse Gases

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the annual emission of methane gas emitted by (a) cattle, (b) sheep and (c) pigs; and if she will make a statement.
Answer

[holding answer 2 February 2006]: The following table presents the total UK emissions of methane (CH4) from cattle, sheep and pigs for the years 1990 and 2004, in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 equivalent). This data is taken from the most recent UK greenhouse gas inventory.

Methane emissions (Mt CO2equivalent)
Category 1990 2004
Cattle 15.85 14.25
Sheep (includes goats and deer) 4.48 3.73
Pigs 0.71 0.49

Between the years 1990 and 2004, annual UK methane emissions fell by 10 percent. for cattle, by 17 percent. for sheep and by 31 percent. for pig categories.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
48242; 442 c1352-3W;442 c1352-3W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Air pollution Cattle Pigs Sheep Methane
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk