Eurogroup for Animals calls for more plant-based production and end of long-distance animal transports to ensure food security

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Eurogroup for Animals calls for more plant-based production and end of long-distance animal transports to ensure food security

4 May 2021
News
As part of the Farm to Fork strategy, and towards the background of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Commission launched a consultation on a contingency plan to ensure food supply and food security across the EU in times of crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of the system’s dependence on the long-distance transport of farmed animals. It also demonstrated the need of local food chains, not only for animal welfare reasons but also to ensure food security. Eurogroup for Animals calls for the EU contingency plan to address the need to move away from long animal transports, both within EU borders and across, and its replacement by trade in meat and carcasses.

The EU contingency plan for food security must also address long-term solutions. Apart from ending long-distance animal transport, actions should also include more plant-based food production in Europe for direct human consumption. Moreover, long-term actions should include support to the development of alternative sources of protein, such as cultivated meat. 

Eurogroup for Animals recommends that the EU contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security: 

  • Addresses the needed transition away from long-distance transport to short supply chains for animal products, inside and across EU borders.
  • Supports the shift to more plant-based production for direct human consumption as well as the development of alternative sources of protein, such as cultivated meat, as important parts of a resilient and sustainable food system.