Animal Farming's Influence is Blocking the Development of Alternative Proteins, Study Reveals
The study's findings reveal that the ‘gigantic power’ of the meat and dairy industry is hindering the development of alternative proteins essential for creating a more sustainable food system.
The ‘gigantic political influence’ of the meat and dairy industries in the United States and European Union is impeding the development of alternative proteins needed for a more sustainable food system, Stanford researchers have said.
The analysis revealed that between 2014 - 2020, animal farmers received 1,200 times more public funding than plant-based and cellular alternatives to animal meat and dairy in the EU, and 800 times more in the US.
In terms of governmental lobbying, the livestock industry's spending significantly outweighs that of sustainable alternatives. In the US, meat producers spent 190 times more, while in the EU, the gap was three times wider.
Within the EU, cattle producers heavily relied on direct subsidy payments, which accounted for at least 50 percent of their income during the study period. Some of these payments incentivized farmers to maintain herd size, keep pasture in production, or increase overall production.
“The lack of policies focused on reducing our reliance on animal-derived products and the lack of sufficient support to alternative technologies to make them competitive are symptomatic of a system still resisting fundamental changes,” said study lead author Simona Vallone, an Earth system science research associate in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability at the time of the research.
Livestock farming contributes to 15 percent of the overall global greenhouse gas emissions. It is also the main direct cause of tropical deforestation, due to pasture expansion and feed crop production. By cutting down on meat and dairy consumption, pollution is reduced and the strain on land, water resources, and deforestation is mitigated. Previous research conducted by the University of Oxford underscores that these dietary changes stand as the "single biggest way" to reduce your impact on the planet.
“The power of the animal farming sector, both in the US and in Europe, and the political influence they have is just gigantic,” said Prof Eric Lambin, who conducted the study with Dr Simona Vallone.
The researchers were clear that the livestock sector stands as a formidable obstacle, and concluded that "powerful vested interests exerted their political influence to maintain the system unchanged and to obstruct competition created by technological innovations."
“We found that the amazing obstacles to the upscaling of the alternative technologies relates to public policies that still massively fund the incumbent system, when we know it’s really part of the problem in terms of climate change, biodiversity loss and some health issues,” said Lambin.
Published in the journal One Earth, the study examined major agricultural policies in the EU and US between 2014 and 2020. The findings revealed a stark contrast: $42 million was allocated to plant-based alternatives during this timeframe, just 0.1 percent of the $35 billion spent on meat and dairy. Moreover, plant-based alternatives represented just 1.5 percent of total sales.
Meanwhile, a staggering 97 percent of research and innovation funds were allocated toward animal farmers, predominantly aimed at bolstering production.
Additional obstacles imposed by the livestock industry include a European Court of Justice ban on terms like milk and cheese being used to promote most alternative dairy products. Likewise, a suggested change to the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act would prevent the sale of alternative meats without the label featuring the word "imitation" and additional explanations clarifying the product's non-animal source.
“It’s not a level playing field at all at the moment,” Lambin said. “The new sector needs to be given its chance to expand and gain efficiency. After that, consumers will judge whether they like it or not, and scientists will judge whether it is really better for the environment and for health. But if it cannot even develop to a scale where we can make this assessment, it will be a lost opportunity to transition to a sustainable food system.”
Credit: Impossible
With a global shift towards a plant-based diet ‘necessary’ to combat the worst effects of climate change, according to the United Nations, the study is a call to action for further innovation and policies directed to animal-free alternatives. The study's outcomes could also play a pivotal role in shaping legislation that levels the food industry playing field, such as the $428 billion US Farm Bill set to expire September 30.
In summary:
The influence of meat and dairy industries in the US and EU is obstructing the progress of alternative proteins.
From 2014 to 2020, animal farmers received public funding that was 1,200 times higher for meat and dairy in the EU and 800 times higher in the US compared to plant-based and cellular alternatives.
Lobbying expenditures by the livestock industry greatly outweigh those for sustainable alternatives, with meat producers spending 190 times more in the US.
Only $42 million was allocated to plant-based alternatives, accounting for just 0.1 percent of the substantial $35 billion spent on meat and dairy. Additionally, plant-based alternatives constituted only 1.5 percent of total sales.
EU cattle producers heavily relied on direct subsidy payments, accounting for at least 50 percent of their income during the study period.
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