The WWF and Four Paws spent a month investigating the range of barbecues in the flyers of six Austrian supermarket chains – with a disturbing result: a third of the 297 discounted products came from abroad. Last year, according to the animal welfare organizations, that was one in five. Even the cheapest offers, a kilo of grilled sausage for 2.99 and a kilo of chicken thighs, were imported. What was especially irritating, however, was that some products carried the AMA seal…
“The discounts that are used as bait for meat consumption are at the expense of the climate and the environment. In addition, cheap imports put pressure on domestic agriculture,” said WWF employee Hannah-Heidi Schindler. Politicians would like to see a fundamental rethink in retail and an eco-social change in nutrition. “The federal government must curb the climate-damaging cheap meat craze and increase support for resource-saving food in return.”
Mandatory labeling required
According to the WWF, the mandatory labeling of all meat products according to origin and animal welfare in the retail and catering sectors is particularly important. Given the high inflation, there is a plea for a permanent reduction in VAT on vegetables, fruit and legumes.
Nearly all of the surveyed offerings are conventional goods (96 percent), which, compared to organic products, are often produced under more ecologically questionable conditions and lower animal welfare standards. Organic meat was hardly offered and only a tenth of the grilled product in the brochures is vegetarian or vegan. “Meat consumption is already three times higher than recommended by experts,” Schindler criticized.
“A quality mark suggests animal welfare”
Pork was the most popular product from April 25 to May 23 – with a record discount of 53.9 percent, followed by poultry at 50 percent and beef at 36 percent. “Almost half of the discounted products also carry the AMA seal. This is very misleading as it suggests a bargain and animal welfare at the same time,” said Verena Weissenböck, Four Paws campaign manager.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
