The consumption of animal products in Austria exceeds sustainability and health recommendations. To reduce this, a research team from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) Vienna finds that not only consumers, but also producers and intermediaries have a duty. In the journal “Science of the Total Environment”, the scientists show that support is needed in switching to plant-based products, taking into account local conditions.
According to the team led by Nicolas Roux from the Institute of Social Ecology in Boku, the increase in livestock farming in recent decades is the result of political and economic decisions. The EU and OECD countries promote agriculture – and thus animal production – in a targeted manner.
Scientists for reducing production
For the scientists, however, the exact opposite would be desirable: a reduction in the production and consumption of animal products. Even with agro-ecological approaches such as permaculture or optimized feed mixes, the impact of animal products on the environment is still greater than that of plant products.
With regard to the switch to plant-based foods, however, the researchers position themselves against the prevailing consumer-oriented presentation, according to which the consumer is primarily responsible for reducing consumption. On the one hand, a change via consumers will probably not have an effect fast enough. On the other hand, in the past, populations would have changed their eating habits only after governmental, institutional or economic incentives. There is also the issue of environmental justice, because if consumption fell, tougher competition would push small farmers out of the market for large companies.
“Create incentives for change”
According to Roux, help is needed to prevent this: Farmers, food companies or supermarkets “also need regulation, incentives and support to switch to plant-based products.” Farmers who want to switch from animal to vegetable production, but this because of debt or the prevention of large livestock must be supported by governments. There should also be partnership or training programs for them.
According to Roux, it is important to take into account the context of agricultural production: “The issue of fair reduction is especially important for Austria so as not to harm farmers with limited alternatives, for example in mountainous areas where livestock farming can sometimes hardly be reduce their consumption of animal products in various ways, depending on the income of the population, in order to avoid food shortages in developing countries.In addition to producers and consumers, intermediaries should not be forgotten, for example, as export companies have a major impact on the environment, such as according to the conclusion of the investigation.
Source: Krone

I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.