Meat promotion
1.6.2022
Question for written answer E-002017/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE)
Commissioner Wojciechowski recently expressed his opinion on the promotion and consumption of meat in the EU. In the context of food security, the war in Ukraine and the inefficiency of producing animal protein, he stated: ‘I do not want to tell consumers what to eat’[1].
According to the Commissioner, meat production in the EU will not be reduced because of the current market situation. The Commission currently governs the market by spending EUR 38.1 million on promoting animal products.
A public consultation clearly showed that EU citizens want the opposite[2]. However, a plan to promote plant proteins was rejected by the Commission[3]. The Commission is therefore telling citizens – indirectly – what to eat. Its actions are also contrary to the farm to fork strategy and the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which states that reducing meat consumption is necessary for mitigating climate change[4].
- 1.Does the Commission recognise the importance of reducing meat consumption in the fight against climate change?
- 2.Does it recognise the difference between ‘telling people what to eat’ and incentivising choices to ensure a liveable planet?
- 3.Can it explain why it favours the promotion of animal products over plant-based food?
- [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZLsZEob0U
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12950-Animal-welfare-revision-of-EU-legislation/public-consultation_en
- [3] https://www.duurzaam-ondernemen.nl/aanvraag-ter-bevordering-europese-plantaardige-voeding-niet-gehonoreerd-door-europese-commissie-wat-nu/
- [4] https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/