The Telegraph & other media are reporting sheep farmers dismay with the World Wildlife Fund after it published a report labelling lamb stew as one of the most environmentally unfriendly meals in the UK.

Farmers’ Unions have been left “astonished” and “disappointed” by a report published by the WWF which labelled Welsh lamb cawl as the “most polluting” classic British meal.

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The report, published to highlight how some of Britain’s favourite dishes could change as a result of climate change, said a bowl of lamb cawl produced as much pollution as boiling a kettle 258 times because of methane from sheep.

But sheep farmers have hit back at the report saying it “failed to include the important environmental benefits of sheep farming.”

The National Sheep Association and National Farmers Union Cymru argued that the findings had failed to highlight the advantages of Welsh lamb stew; both environmentally and from a nutritional perspective.

Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive said: “From our perspective it’s a pretty shoddy piece of work that hasn’t looked at the wider benefits of sheep farming at all. 

“It has taken a very narrow view of the impacts of lamb cawl and is it really quite astonishing. Lamb cawl is the exact kind of dish that we should be promoting, it is highly nutritious and a good source of protein.”

“The summary looks through a very narrow lens and we fundamentally disagree with the argument that has been made as it has failed to include the important environmental benefits of sheep farming which is very disappointing.”

The report stated that producing a dish of lamb cawl is the the equivalent of having an LED light bulb switched on for 65 days, driving a car 31 miles or charging a smartphone 722 times.

Hedd Pugh, National Farmers Union Cymru rural affairs board chairman hit back saying: “We are astonished at the nature of this report that draws comparisons between lamb production and the action of turning a kettle on. The authors have focused solely on greenhouse gas emissions rather than taking a broader view and assessing the overall contribution of our lamb production systems.

“The report does not acknowledge the many benefits to biodiversity of grazed livestock, nor does it note the possible benefits of the carbon stored in our grasslands, hedges and farm woodlands. There are also a variety of cultural and social benefits that have not been taken into account, seemingly because the facts don’t fit the agenda of this report.

Mr Pugh said Welsh farmers “take their environmental responsibilities extremely seriously.... this report shows a total disregard and ignorance for the good work that is taking place on farms across Wales to address the issues that are impacting on our environment.”

The report also warned climate change could risk the future of Britain’s favourite dishes.

A WWF spokesperson said: “Climate change is a major threat to our world and its precious wildlife and landscapes.  

“Food consumption is one of the biggest drivers of carbon emissions which is why our report showed the impact of climate change on Britain’s most iconic dishes, including Welsh cawl.”