MEPs from several political groups on Wednesday 29 April called on the Commission’s executive vice-president in charge of the Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, to take action to prevent excessive consumption of meat and dairy products and the increasing industrialisation of agriculture.
Signed by 12 MEPs, including Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands), a letter sent to Mr Timmermans suggests that the Commission should use the future ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy as a means to “reduce the scale of unsustainable, industrial animal farming in Europe and to shift diets away from animal products towards more plant-based diets”.
“This is an even greater concern now that the world is in the midst of a global pandemic caused by an animal disease”, they write.
Eleonora Evi (non-attached Member, Italy) pointed out that the current food system, centred on intensive livestock farming, is responsible for 37% of greenhouse gas emissions.
The ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, she said, should ensure that all citizens have access to a “healthy diet that limits meat and dairy products”. She warns the institution against any further delay in the presentation of the strategy.
Sources mention the date of 20 May as the date of adoption of the strategy by the Commission. Frans Timmermans had indicated that the delay would not exceed a few weeks (see EUROPE 12471/5).
Link to the letter: https://bit.ly/2VM4iz1 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)