News Politics
'Bring attention to animal-friendly food'
In the context of the recently presented agricultural vision, the ministry is in talks with supermarkets to see how they can contribute to accelerating the sustainability of livestock farming. This is what Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) writes in an answer to parliamentary questions from Tjeerd de Groot (D66).
At the beginning of November animal rights organization Wakker Dier published the message 'Supermarkets are increasingly stunting with meat† In it, the organization claims that the number of meat offers has increased sharply since 2015. According to Schouten, that data is not kept and no underlying figures or studies are mentioned in the article. "It is therefore impossible for me to verify the figures," she writes in response to a question from De Groot, who wants to know whether Wakker Dier is right.
Consumers have to adapt
De Groot also wants to know whether Schouten shares the Nutrition Center's opinion with regard to reducing meat consumption. "In the vision Circular agriculture and appreciation for food are central. This includes healthy and sustainable food consumption. Part of this is a good balance between animal and vegetable proteins." According to the minister, this has been translated into the 'Disc of Five' of the Nutrition Center.
Schouten therefore does not immediately take a position, but writes later that there is also an important role for the consumer. "The current orientation towards a low price and convenience must shift to behavior that matches the high demands placed on the living environment, farmers and horticulturists. Offering food at a price that is below the value of the product contributes therefore does not contribute to consumer awareness."
Talking to supermarkets
Schouten says that it is not possible to impose obligations on supermarkets. After all, they themselves determine which products are on offer. "I do think that supermarkets play a role as a link to the consumer in improving animal welfare. That is why I would like to see the share of more animal-friendly produced products increase further. The supermarkets should also bring these products to the attention of the consumer more often. "
According to the agriculture minister, the ministry is therefore in conversationk with the supermarkets. "We want to see how the supermarkets can contribute to accelerating the sustainability of livestock farming. Animal welfare is also discussed."
Establishment of agro-nutrimonitor
Finally, the agriculture minister writes that she is pleased that there are more and more companies that offer responsible products or services or that make efforts in other ways to meet social requirements. "They supply products that (often in the field of animal welfare) meet higher requirements."
However, according to the minister it is often unclear whether they always have a cost-effective solution reward get for. "That is why I previously reported that an agro-nutri monitor is being set up at the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), which hopefully will give me more insight into price formation and transparency in the chain."
Click here Schouten's full answer.
Kimberly Baker
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