Public policies and Vested Interests Preserve the Animal Farming Status Quo at the Expense of Animal Product Analogs

Summary

This article discusses the urgent need to transform the global food system to address issues related to climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. It emphasizes the role of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from livestock production, as a significant contributor to climate change. The article also highlights how the diets of affluent countries, rich in animal-derived products, challenge environmental sustainability, especially due to the increasing demand for these products in emerging economies.
The focus of the study is analyzing the food systems and policies in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), aiming to understand the influence of policies, technological innovation, and lobbying by trade and non-profit organizations on the transition to more sustainable food systems and the adoption of alternatives to animal products.
The article also examines various factors, such as: a) the novel products market; b) financial support and innovation; c) public support for supply and demand; d) public guidance on food consumption; e) regulations affecting novel products; and, f) priorities of non-governmental actors.
Tables and figures provide more detailed information on the influence of policies and actors in the food system, including government policies, research and innovation, public support, dietary guidelines, regulations, and lobbying efforts.
The article notes that dietary changes, particularly reducing red meat consumption, can have a positive impact on reducing the ecological footprint of humanity. Particularly, technological innovation has led to the development of plant-based and microbial-derived food analogs that closely resemble animal products, possibly making it easier for people to shift away from animal-based products.
The article underscores the need for significant changes in the food system to address environmental and climate challenges, highlights the potential of alternative food products, and calls for a closer examination of policies and societal dynamics influencing this transition.