“I’ll give a very personal answer to this polemic: For me, a medium-fried steak is unbeatable,” said Sánchez on Thursday with a slight grin on his face when asked by a Spanish journalist on the sidelines of a visit to Vilnius.
The socialist took the side of his Agriculture and Food Minister Luis Planas, who had vigorously rejected a call by Consumption Minister Alberto Garzón to reduce meat consumption. “This campaign is just as wrong as saying that sugar kills,” Planas had said. In addition, it is dangerous for the ranchers. Agricultural associations also sharply criticized Garzón and called him a “liar”.
The Ministry of Consumption started a campaign on Wednesday under the motto “Less meat, more life”. Reducing meat consumption is important not only for people’s health, but also for the preservation of the planet, said Garzón.
According to Sánchez, the minister from the left coalition junior partner contradicted his boss. The campaign will continue to «save thousands of lives», he said on Spanish television. “I think it is clear what we are saying: we have to go back to the Mediterranean diet, reduce the consumption of meat. That doesn’t mean that one should stop eating meat. But you have to do it in compliance with health requirements. “
Spain is one of the largest agricultural producers in Western Europe. According to official information, the country’s agricultural and livestock industry recently employed around 800,000 people, who also produce a lot of food for the German market.