Analysis of the WWF Is grilled meat too cheap?

Status: 06/18/2021 2:22 p.m.

At the beginning of the barbecue season, supermarkets attract with low meat prices. A study the environmental organization WWF shows that meat substitutes are much more expensive. That has consequences for the environment. In order to benefit from the current barbecue season, supermarkets lure customers with savings and discount offers on barbecue products. An analysis by the environmental protection organization WWF now shows that the majority of grilled meat in German supermarkets is much cheaper than meat substitute products. Between the end of April and the end of May, the WWF examined 922 grilled meat offers in the advertising brochures of eight German supermarket chains. On average, 85 percent of the discounted grilled meat was cheaper than vegetable alternatives. In addition, grilled meat products are advertised almost 30 times more often than meat substitute products. In addition, according to the analysis, very few products come from higher forms of husbandry. Only two percent of the discount products were of organic quality; for many, the origin was not even shown.

“Amazon is being sold off”

Tanja Dräger de Teran is a nutritionist at WWF. She criticizes the fact that the masses of cheap meat are at the expense of the environment. In order for meat to be sold so cheaply, cattle must be kept en masse and animal feed such as soy must be imported from South America. That heats up the climate and destroys valuable habitats: “The Amazon is sold off with cheap meat.” Around 96 percent of the soya-growing area would be needed for animal feed and only four percent for plant-based foods.

A study by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) from 2020 also shows the significantly better ecological balance of plant products. Compared to beef, the production of vegetable substitute products would in some cases produce less than a tenth of the greenhouse gases. The water and land consumption is also many times lower, since plants such as wheat and soy are not only used as animal feed, but rather land directly on the plate, so to speak.

Reduce factory farming

UBA President Dirk Messner called for meat consumption to be halved in the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe a few weeks ago: “We have to reduce factory farming so that excessive nitrogen inputs are reduced and soils, water, biodiversity and human health are less polluted.” The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns against consuming too much meat.

Because in addition to the environmental aspects, according to experts, there are also health reasons for reducing meat consumption. For a healthy and sustainable diet, experts recommend not eating meat every day. An adult should not eat more than 300 to 600 grams of meat and sausage per week. That is significantly less than is generally consumed in this country.

Still too much meat consumption

Although meat consumption in Germany tends to decline slowly, in 2020 it was still a little more than 57 kilos per person. In 2000, the annual consumption was over 61 kilos. However, according to the WWF, this is roughly double the consumption in the 1950s.

Messner had already stated in 2020: “As long as the price of the food does not also reflect the environmental damage, the cheap neck steak will be preferred to a soy schnitzel for a long time to come.”

High development costs for meat substitutes

There are reasons for the price differences: Antje Risius is researching sustainable eating styles at the University of Göttingen. She explains the striking price differences by the fact that meat is an established product on the market, while substitute products are still “newcomers”. “The meat market has an unbelievable competitive advantage because the structures are already established there. Production can take place at a completely different level, efficiently and structurally at very reasonable prices.”

Because they are mostly still in the development phase, replacement products would still have relatively high investment costs. In addition, they are often very heavily processed – and the many intermediate processing steps are also expensive, says Risius.

Cheap meat and the social question

The WWF warns that the price imbalance between meat and meat substitute products is causing many people to resort to meat for reasons of cost. Dräger de Teran demands that sustainable nutrition should not remain a social issue. “We have to get to the point where the simple choice is the good, healthy and sustainable choice. And we are still a long way from that.”

Almut Jering from the UBA has observed, however, that a growing range of meat and milk substitute products in supermarkets is attracting more and more people’s interest, despite the often higher prices. Recently, the number of people who followed a vegetarian or vegan diet has increased significantly. “I think there is some social progress going on.”

Meanwhile, the WWF sees politics and business as having a greater responsibility. The organization is demanding a steering tax based on sustainability criteria on food of animal origin from the next federal government, which is less of a burden on products from organic agriculture. Retailers need a change in pricing policy: For example, discounts should no longer be given on meat and sausage products, except shortly before the use-by date

Overexploitation The researchers analyzed DNA to test eel products, including grilled eel and sushi, sold in restaurants. The results recorded that nearly 50% of the samples were identified as European eels (Anguilla anguilla) on the endangered animal list. This species is threatened by overexploitation due to increased consumer demand from Asia, especially China and Japan. These two countries consider eel a delicacy and aphrodisiac. Critically endangered and endangered eels are being sold in sushi restaurants in Hong Kong. Photo: South China Morning Post. European eels are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). The Ordinance for the Protection of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora requires an export permit and inspection of the species upon arrival in Hong Kong. Of the 80 samples, 36 were confirmed as critically endangered European eels, 29 were American eels, and 5 were Japanese eels. Critically endangered European eel is sold in 45% of the 80 sushi restaurants surveyed in Hong Kong. Photo: South China Morning Post. Gap The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said the results showed the animals were illegally existing in Hong Kong’s eel supply chain. The organization calls for urgent action to stop the illegal wildlife trade. To this day, Hong Kong remains one of the biggest hubs for the illegal wildlife industry, with a record number of wildlife seizures. In February, HKU published a study showing that thousands of species are legally trafficked through Hong Kong with inadequate traceability. At the heart of the problem lies a vague code system that customs officials around the world use to classify species. “The codes used for the eel trade are too general and only list products that are goods of the Anguilla species. However, those codes do not distinguish between different Anguilla species and their life stages,” said Jovy Chan, wildlife conservation manager at WWF. “Complete, specific and accurate commercial data are important to facilitate the implementation of conservation policies for eel species. In addition to European eels managed by Cites, some parts of Asia, for example the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan, have bans on the trade in European eels. Customs codes have a key role to play on issues of legality, traceability and sustainability of eels,” added Ms Jovy. David Baker, staff member of HKU’s Conservation Forensic laboratory and who led the eel study, said the results reflect the vulnerability of the retail market. “Our hope is to partner with WWF. This enhances surveillance at distribution points to prevent illegal seafood products from entering the market,” Mr. Baker said. A fisherman releases a Japanese eel in the Enshu Sea off Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Photo: South China Morning Post. In 2020, HKU published a study showing that nearly half of eel products retailed in supermarkets and convenience stores in Hong Kong are endangered European eels. Based on DNA testing, the study found that nearly half (45%) of retail eel products originate from critically endangered European eel species. Products are only labeled as “eels”. “Consumers have the right to know where their food comes from and whether it is sourced in ethical and sustainable ways. This problem is not limited to eels,” Mr. Baker said.

Regular testing on mink farms is recommended to rule out the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to humans. Photo: AFP/VNA After more than a year of the COVID-19 outbreak, people are well aware of the risks of human-animal contact, especially in cases related to deforestation and wildlife trade. high risk. The report builds on the study “Behind the Ivory Ban” conducted by the International Organization for Conservation of Nature and the Global Initiative Reporting Organization in 2020 to gain insight into attitudes and behaviors. public attitudes towards COVID-19 and future pandemics. More than a year after the COVID-19 outbreak, survey results show that people are well aware of close human-animal contact, often linked to deforestation and the endangered wildlife trade. high risk, potential health risks, can cause serious disease outbreaks. In which, 46% of the participants said that transmission of diseases from animals to humans is the root cause that could cause a future pandemic. A recent investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO) also indicated that wild animals are likely to be the source of infection of the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of those surveyed believe that preventing future pandemics should start with addressing the root causes, including high-risk wildlife trade and deforestation. In all five countries, people strongly support government efforts to close high-risk wildlife markets that sell wild-caught animals (85%) and to end wildlife trafficking. deforestation (88%). In which, in Vietnam, the support rate for these two issues is 94% and 95% respectively. In addition, 85% of respondents in all 5 countries support or strongly support the “One Health” approach to dealing with the pandemic. Particularly in Vietnam, the agreement rate is 93% and is the second country with the highest consensus rate. “One Health” is an approach in which action programs, policies and legislation from various sectors work together towards the goal of better health for people, animals and plants, in particular. in the context of the increasing spread of diseases between animals and humans and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. More specifically, among survey participants in Vietnam, 39% of respondents said they have consumed less wildlife or have stopped consuming wildlife because of COVID-19. In Thailand, this rate nearly doubles from 21% in 2020 to 41% in 2021. While in China, the figure is 28% in 2021. Still, there are 9% of participants. The survey intends to purchase wildlife products in the future in all five countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the lives of human society upside down and forced people to think more deeply about the relationship between humans and nature. The best way to prevent future pandemics is to minimize activities that destroy the natural environment such as deforestation, trade and consumption of unsustainable, high-risk wildlife, rather than passively. respond to disease outbreaks after they emerge. “Preventing a pandemic, it is estimated, will be 100 times less expensive than responding to a pandemic when it breaks out. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that investing in the health of the planet and nature is the only way to avoid paying a hefty economic and social cost,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of the International Organization. on the International Conservation of Nature. Ms. Nguyen Dao Ngoc Van, Program Manager against illegal wildlife trade of the International Organization for Conservation of Nature in Vietnam commented: “In July 2020, the Prime Minister issued an Directive Decree No. 29/CT-TTg on some urgent solutions for wildlife management. We expect the Government to continue to closely guide the implementation, promptly reward ministries, branches and localities for good performance and strictly handle localities that have not performed well so that the Directive can come into effect. living”. The results of the Report are an important basis for Vietnam and other countries in the region to consider decisions on closing wildlife markets and closing forests to proactively prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic. as well as possible future outbreaks of wildlife-related diseases to humans. The International Organization for Conservation of Nature calls on policymakers to put in place the interventions needed to address the key drivers of zoonotic disease outbreaks in their pandemic control plans. Translate. For example, closing forests and closing high-risk wildlife markets will help restore animal populations and maintain biodiversity at the national and global levels. Thereby, epidemics can be adjusted naturally, as well as helping to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: THX/VNA Human happiness and well-being can be greatly improved by prioritizing nature-based solutions – United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed at the Fifth Session of the United Nations Conference. The United Nations Environment Council took place in February. This message was reiterated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the occasion of this year’s International Day of Biodiversity, 22 May, that each of us plays an important role in protecting biodiversity and protecting nature by establish balance in the relationship between man and the Earth. Or to put it more simply, choosing a lifestyle in harmony with nature is the best way for people to develop sustainably and avoid the risk of new diseases, because humans are an important piece of the puzzle. natural change. This is also the theme of the International Day of Biodiversity May 22 this year: “We are part of the solution – For nature.” Biodiversity has long been a global issue. Currently, there are millions of plant and animal species that are in danger of extinction due to human impacts. According to the report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), there are 5 main causes of biodiversity loss which are changes in land use demand; overexploitation of wild animals and plants; Climate Change; environmental pollution and invasive alien organisms. Meanwhile, the process of globalization is increasing the movement of species beyond the inherent natural range through tourism, trade, etc., disrupting native ecosystems and the environment. The year 2021 is considered an important milestone in the conservation of ecosystems on Earth, marking the 10th anniversary of the UN declaration of the period 2011-2020 as the “United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”. is the transition step for a new phase “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration” (period 2021-2030). 10 years ago, then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all humanity to protect biodiversity on Earth, emphasizing that sustainable human development depends heavily on diversity. this. At that time, the head of the United Nations emphasized that people can never get precious opportunities and miracles from nature, such as natural medicines to cure incurable diseases, when many ecosystems are permanently destroyed or the land becomes unusable. From this perspective to the health crisis related to COVID-19 that the world is grappling with, people are increasingly aware that biodiversity and ecosystems are tied to human survival and Protecting nature and ecosystems also means protecting our own lives. However, the UN warns that the rate at which biodiversity loss is occurring is unprecedented. In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Forest and Global Change, scientists estimate that only 3% of the world’s land area (excluding Antarctica) is still ecologically intact, with healthy primitive animal populations and undisturbed habitats. One million species of plants and animals out of a total of 8 million species on Earth are on the verge of extinction. Some scientists think that the sixth mass extinction on Earth is beginning and will have serious consequences for food, clean water and air. The theme of this year’s International Day of Biodiversity is a continuation of the 2020 theme “Our solutions are available in nature”. This is seen as a reminder that biodiversity is still an important solution, an option for sustainable development. Therefore, from nature-based solutions to climate, health, food security, drinking water and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation on which people around the world can Build back better. According to the United Nations, the livelihoods of more than 3 billion people around the world depend on marine and coastal biodiversity, while 1.6 billion people make a living from forests. The conservation of species on Earth is no longer in the framework of “altruism” but plays an important role in ensuring human life. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic forces people to rethink the protective role of biodiversity against infectious diseases. There is evidence that biodiversity loss can increase the number of cases of communicable diseases. infection from animals to humans. In fact, 70% of infectious diseases spreading in recent years originate in animals. Therefore, the more the “health” of the ecosystem declines, the more fragile the immune “wall” between humans and pathogens will be. Looking back on 10 years of implementation of the “United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”, the world has recognized encouraging human progress in the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. According to a report by the World Conservation Monitoring Center of UNEP and the World Union for the Conservation of Nature, 22.5 million square kilometers of land and ecosystems Inland waters along with 28.1 million square kilometers of coastline and oceans have been preserved in the past 10 years.Another encouraging result was also noted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 59 million hectares of forest have regenerated since 2000, enough to cover France.WWF emphasizes that protecting and restoring forests is a better climate change solution than planting trees because existing forests not only absorb more greenhouse gases but also protect wildlife and biodiversity. Ru Cha primary mangrove forest in Huong Phong commune, Huong Tra town, Thua Thien – Hue province (Vietnam) has an area of ​​about 5 hectares, has the function of preventing salinity, protecting aquatic resources and the mainland. Photo: Ho Cau/VNA Vietnam is one of the countries with the most important and diverse biodiversity in the world, both in terms of marine and terrestrial ecosystems (especially forest and mangrove ecosystems). To protect this “treasure” of nature, Vietnam officially ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on October 17, 1994, and made great strides in the conservation of nature and biodiversity. As a result of this unremitting effort, a number of nature reserves in Vietnam have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their natural value, including three heritage sites. nature, 2 global geoparks, 9 bio-rights reserves and 2 wetlands located in two world bio-rights reserves. Vietnam also encourages the application of construction solutions to be effective and sustainable in terms of economy, society, and natural environment; promote the implementation of conservation and sustainable use models, apply the ecosystem approach in integrated management of coastal zones, river basins, sustainable forest management, focusing on the role and interests of communities. copper. However, Vietnam’s conservation efforts are currently facing many challenges, such as deforestation, illegal logging, over-exploitation, economic growth, and population pressures. . The COVID-19 that has raged for more than a year is a reminder of the close relationship between humans and nature, when humans themselves have been depleting resources faster than nature can regenerate. Therefore, only humans can make a change for nature, in other words, humans are the most important piece of the solution to protect biodiversity and nature on Earth.

Image of floods in Central Vietnam in 2020, one of the natural losses of Vietnam. A global study commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and commissioned by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), shows that public interest in nature has increased markedly (16%). ) over the past five years and continues to increase during the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures are released ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Biodiversity (May 22), the date chosen to increase public understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Expressing growing concern about nature People around the world, especially in emerging economies, are becoming more aware of the planet’s environmental crisis. This has impacted their behavior, especially as a wave of what WWF calls an “ecological awakening” is growing. Current trends also show that the behavior of individuals and consumers is affected by these concerns and they demand drastic action to address the loss of nature and biodiversity. The report “Ecological Awakening: Measuring Global Awareness, Participation and Action for Nature” shows that environmental activism is exploding in online media. Over the past four years, mentions of environmental issues on Twitter have increased by 65%, with the topic of nature and biodiversity increasing from 30 million to 50 million. Many influential individuals and entities such as spiritual leaders, politicians and media organizations, news and celebrities, have spoken out for nature, with social media posts. The festival reaches more than 1 billion audiences worldwide. The study also shows that consumers are increasing their interest in nature through Google searches related to this topic, especially in Asian and Latin American countries such as Indonesia (increased). 53%) and India (up 190%). Many consumers around the world are changing their behavior In addition, more and more people are realizing the loss of nature is a serious global problem. Specifically, 96% of people living in Latin America agree with this when surveyed (the region with the highest percentage). This shift from the community reflects a fact worth pondering, as people in developing regions are experiencing more devastating effects from the loss of nature than elsewhere. After an era of protest marches and petitions, now more and more consumers around the world are changing their behavior such as adjusting their buying habits, buying only what is right for them. with their values ​​and needs. The analysis shows a staggering 71% increase in search results for sustainable products since 2016, popular in high-income countries, such as the UK, US, Germany, Australia and Canada. However, this trend is not only found in these economies, but also appears and increases in emerging economies or developing countries such as Indonesia (24%) and Ecuador (120%). This pressure is forcing manufacturing corporations to respond with action, especially in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, fashion and food sectors. Since 2016, more than 159 million signatures for biodiversity-related campaigns have been collected, along with an increase in the magnitude and frequency of protests worldwide to demand requires decision-makers to take drastic action for the planet and future generations, in the face of growing nature conservation movements. Information about Southeast Asian countries in the report. Immediate action is needed to prevent damage to nature However, despite the tremendous rate of destruction of nature and the threat this devastation poses to the global economy and human health, nature is rarely a high-priority topic. global agendas. “Scientists and economists have understood. The public was well aware. And the solutions are also obvious. Both the community and society are supporting the process of transforming economic models and sustainable development in which the protection of nature is considered a moral obligation, in return for the life that the earth brings as well as the vital service this planet provides to our economy, welfare, health and security. This is truly an historic “ecological awakening” and an opportunity to rebalance man’s relationship with nature,” said Marco Lambertini, WWF International Director General. The loss of nature is increasing humanity’s vulnerability to pandemics, undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis and threatening livelihoods. Leaders are expected to make key decisions later this year on climate and environmental issues. These decisions could represent an important opportunity to reverse biodiversity loss, ensure nature is restored this decade, and support climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals. According to this report, Vietnam, a country with a high level of biodiversity – joined the Climate Change Working Group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2021. As a country As a member, Vietnam will participate in regional initiatives such as preventing ocean plastic waste, initiatives to tackle air pollution and transboundary water pollution.