A recent study conducted by Stanford University has revealed the influence of meat and dairy industry lobbying on government regulations and funding, which has hindered competition from alternative meat products that have smaller climate and environmental impacts. The study, published on Aug. 18 in One Earth, compares the advancements and policies related to plant-based meat alternatives and lab-grown meat in both the United States and the European Union.
“The lack of policies focused on reducing our reliance on animal-derived products and the lack of sufficient support for alternative technologies to make them competitive are indicative of a system that is resistant to fundamental changes,” stated Simona Vallone, the lead author of the study and a research associate in Earth system science at Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability during the research.
Livestock production is the largest emitter of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in the agricultural sector. This is primarily due to emissions from ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Additionally, livestock production is the primary cause of tropical deforestation as a result of pasture expansion and feed crop production.
Several studies have demonstrated that dietary changes, particularly a reduction in red meat consumption, have the potential to significantly reduce humanity’s ecological footprint. However, Western-style diets that are high in meat consumption are becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
The researchers examined major agricultural policies from 2014 to 2020 that supported either the animal food product system or alternative technologies. They also compared government spending on both systems and analyzed related lobbying trends.
2023-08-19 12:48:02
Source from phys.org