WRITTEN QUESTION P-2105/02

by Gianni Vattimo (PSE) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Promoting vegetarianism

An increasing number of nutritionists and scientists have been pointing out that it is important for human health to reduce the consumption of animal protein and fat, and epidemiological studies show a lower incidence of disease in people who follow a strictly vegetarian diet.

It was also recently demonstrated by a number of individuals during the FAO Food Summit that if food of vegetable origin were consumed directly rather than being fed to animals destined for slaughter, vastly greater quantities of food would be made available, thereby providing a valid response to the food requirements of the South.

At present about 50 % of cereals and 75 % of soya produced worldwide are used to feed farm animals, which is obviously a waste of food resources.

Intensive stock-breeding methods are now the most widespread, with adverse effects on animal welfare, and the high concentration of industrial farms has often caused environmental damage on a large scale. The spread of fish farms is also causing many pollution problems, as is the intensive use of antibiotics to ensure that fish survive the inappropriate conditions in which they are kept.

Despite all this, the Commission has on several occasions granted funding to promote the consumption of meat and fish in the Member States, as a form of aid to stock-breeders and fishermen, but there is apparently no plan to devise information campaigns aimed at encouraging European citizens to stop consuming foodstuffs of animal origin a choice already made by millions of them.

Can the Commission therefore say whether there are any measures planned to promote vegetarianism for ethical, health and environmental reasons or as a gesture of solidarity.

If not, whether it considers it appropriate to launch information and awareness-raising campaigns of this kind, targeting students and the general public?

Whether it does not consider it appropriate to launch a radical reform of European farming policy, assigning priority to the production of crops which may bring benefits in terms of animal welfare, public health, environmental costs and solidarity with the developing countries?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

It is not the intention of the Commission to promote a particular choice of diet, such as vegetarianism, to the exclusion of other dietary choices. The Commission has to be mindful in this respect of the principle of subsidiarity and the freedom of individuals to make their own dietary decisions.

The objective of nutrition policy in the Union is instead to improve the health and the quality of life of the population at all stages of life, and to reduce the risk of diseases by promoting healthy diets and lifestyle. The Commission is of the opinion that there are several ways to obtain a healthy diet, based on different cultural traditions, availability of food and other factors. Vegetarianism is one, but not the only such tradition. Community policies have a role to play in making food for healthy, nutritious diets available at affordable prices, and to educate the consumer to make the appropriate dietary choices. Ability to access food products (including purchase, transport and distribution aspects) rather than availability of such products on the world markets is of principal concern.

The Community has funded promotion and information measures on the Community Internal Market for several agricultural products, not only beef. Promotion of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, olive oil, wine and of milk and milk products, as well as organic products inter alia, has also been funded. The initiatives to start such campaigns come from different organisations within the Member States.

The Commission has just tabled its mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The aim of this review is to ensure that the CAP meets the expectations of European society through supporting farm incomes, improving food quality, promoting the preservation of the environment and animal welfare, landscapes, cultural heritage, and enhancing social balance.

The Commission also committed itself at the Gothenburg European Council (15-16 June 2001) to work on sustainable development, where one of the measures outlined is to reorient support from the CAP to reward healthy, high-quality products and practices, rather than quantity.