Recent reports highlighting the large quantities of water needed to produce meat and dairy products are well wide of the mark in Wales, where it’s mainly rain water which irrigates the lush pastures, according to the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW).

It said such reports are based on global figures which group together the extensively reared cattle and sheep of Wales with the intensive farms of the US.

“Here the majority of stock benefit from 'green water', the world wide definition of the rainfall that is used at the place where it falls,” said Charlotte Priddy, FUW policy officer.

Although no studies currently focus on Wales, one looking at beef and lamb water footprints in England showed 84 per cent and 97 per cent respectively is ‘green’, that is evapotranspiration of rainfall on crop and grassland.

“It is so important to consider water use in context. In a temperate, wet climate such as Wales, grassland water requirements are adequately met by this green water from rainfall,” said Ms Priddy. Even when 'grey water' is considered, more than 80 per cent of water consumption for beef and lamb production in the UK is rainfall.

“Meanwhile British supermarkets are selling thousands of tonnes of avocados from Chile, where villagers claim water is being diverted from illegal pipes to irrigate their crops, causing wells to dry up,” said Ms Priddy. It takes 74 gallons of water to produce one pound of avocados. http://cehumboldt.ucanr.edu/?blogtag=avocado&blogasset=23438

“By eating local, seasonal produce wherever possible, following the full story of the foods you eat, you can have peace of mind about water use and also reduce carbon emissions,” she added.