Opponents claiming errors in 'cancer meat' row

The charity World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) is defending its viewpoint that there is "convincing evidence" eating red meat increases the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer after several UK farming and food agencies said fresher science had shown it to be inaccurate.

The British Pig Executive (BPEX) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU) were among agencies which issued statements referencing claims by two scientists, including Dr Dominick Alexander, which appear to dispute a link between cancer and red meat.

Their claims were reported by the Yorkshire Post last week, but the (WCRF) has described this as "incorrect". It has written to both BPEX and the NFU challenging their claims.

The charity said Dr Alexander's review was in fact based on links between animal fats and animal proteins and cancer, and that red meat was outside its remit.

Professor Martin Wiseman, project director of the WCRF report, said: "It is extremely unfortunate that the meat industry has tried to discredit our report by using a scientific review that is about a different subject."

He added: "Animal fats and proteins are not the same thing as red and processed meat.

"This is self-evident from the fact that while our report found convincing evidence that red and processed meat increase the risk of bowel cancer, it found the evidence on animal fats is only limited."

Professor Wiseman called upon the meat industry to admit it was wrong in its criticising his charity's findings.

However BPEX defended its position with its human nutrition and meat science manager Maureen Strong saying: "If you are talking about a food made up of animal fat and animal protein, red meat is one of the main foods you will be talking about".

Responding the WCRF's criticisms, Ms Strong said investigating links between cancer and causal effects was a complex area but added: "To date no causal link has been established between consumption of red meat and any type of cancer."