In a letter to the Commission, the scientists note that recent Commission policy documents such as the Farm to Fork strategy for a healthier and more environmentally sustainable food system and the Beating Cancer plan recognise the need for a shift to more plant-rich diets.

Yet perversely, they point out, in recent years the Commission has spent nearly one third of its 200 million euro annual budget for promoting agricultural produce on advertising animal products — in some cases funding up to 80% of marketing campaign costs. Some of these campaigns have explicitly aimed at reversing a decline or maintaining growth in meat consumption. “This policy needs reform so that it supports public health, environmental protection and animal welfare instead of putting them at risk,” the letter says. 

Dr Goodall, who is a vocal supporter for plant-rich food systems, comments: “The European Commission’s recent food and cancer policies show it well understands the need for a shift away from animal products towards more plant-rich diets, but its policy for funding food ads doesn’t yet reflect this: it seems important that these conflicting messages be brought into line. We are calling on the Commission to reform its EU farm products promotion policy so that it provides support and incentives for the crucial shift to more plant-based diets in Europe. This will benefit people, animals and the planet.” Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE 

Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace In the letter, the scientists point out that the high levels of consumption of red and processed meat made possible by industrial production are contributing to heart disease, obesity, diabetes and certain cancers. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans and red meat as probably carcinogenic.

They add that ‘a tsunami’ of over-production and over-consumption of animal products in the EU is overwhelming nature. Almost 70% of EU greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from animal farming and much of the soy the EU imports for animal feed is from deforested land. The intensification of EU crop production to grow the concentrate feed demanded by industrial animal production is causing soil degradation, overuse and pollution of water, as well as air pollution. 

The text of the letter and the full list of signatories is available here

1. The scientists’ letter is addressed to Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, who is in charge of for the European Green Deal, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides and Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski.

2. Ethologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, PHD, DBE, Founder – The Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, is considered the world’s leading authority on chimpanzees. She has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues and founded the global wildlife and conservation organisation The Jane Goodall Institute.