Lhe Western food model, based on proteins of animal origin, has serious consequences on our planet. Many scientific studies and politicians attest to the importance of plant-based our diet to counter these deleterious effects. However, in practice, the consumption of animal products is not decreasing. In question, cultural habits, but above all public policies: they are what make the difference, as shown by the very varied situations in the different countries of Europe.
Thus, in Germany, a country renowned “meat”meat consumption reached its peak in 2022 lowest level since the 1990s, or 52 kilos per person. This decline undoubtedly owes a lot to policies favorable to vegetarian diets, and to the appointment of a minister of agriculture who takes seriously the impact of animal production. Conversely, in France, with a president and a minister of agriculture close to livestock interest groups, our meat consumption still amounts to 85 kilos per person per year, and it has increased by 2% in the last two years.
Despite declarations of good intentions, or a few laws “windows” like the EGalim law, the French government persists in mocking any proposal to plant our food model, and continues to support industrial animal production which is the pillar of the disastrous current situation: 80% of animals raised in our country suffer from intensive breeding, and we still import meat, produced in conditions which do not meet the expectations of French consumers.
Towards a fairer, more sustainable food system
France regularly invokes European competition to avoid changing ecocidal agricultural practices and public policies. However, several tools already exist within the Union to initiate and support the essential political shift towards a more plant-based diet, as highlighted THE report “Plant-Powered Politics”written by a coalition of five European organizations, including France.
A first measure consists first of all in redirecting CAP subsidies towards sustainable plant production, and encouraging the consumption of plant proteins, which constitute assets for the environment and for public health. It is also a question of truly implementing the “farm to table” strategy, and of establishing labels which indicate the impact of products on ecosystems and animal condition.
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