🌍🥩 France's national food strategy urges limitation on meat consumption

Oneliner

France's National Strategy for Food, Nutrition and Climate, published on 11 February 2026, recommends limiting meat and processed meat consumption to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With per-capita meat consumption at 85 kilograms, significantly higher than in Germany, the strategy promotes increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Internal disputes delayed the publication, reflecting differing views on the necessity of explicit reductions. While some public support exists, critics argue for clearer targets and regulations to ensure the strategy's effectiveness.

Key points

• The French government recommends limiting meat and processed meat consumption to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Per-capita meat consumption in France remains high at 85 kilograms, significantly above the EU average.
• The strategy promotes increased intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Environmental groups call for clearer targets and regulations to support the initiative.

Links

• Die Welt: Frankreich ruft zu weniger Fleisch- und Wurstkonsum auf
• T-Online: Frankreich ruft zu weniger Fleisch- und Wurstkonsum auf
• Handelsblatt: Nationale Strategie: Frankreich ruft zu weniger Fleisch- und Wurstkonsum auf
• BFMTV: Le gouvernement appelle à "une limitation" de la consommation de viande et de charcuterie
• BFMTV: Le gouvernement appelle à "une limitation" de la consommation de viande afin de réduire les gaz à effet de serre
• RMC: L’État veut limiter notre consommation de viande : "À quel moment on commence à se dire qu'on e****** cet État soviétique", s'indigne Juliette Briens

Facts

• Per-capita meat consumption in France is 85 kilograms, compared to Germany's 53.2 kilograms.
• Agricultural production accounts for 20% of France's CO2 emissions, with meat production responsible for 61% of that.
• The National Strategy aims to reduce household food waste by 50% by 2030.
• The strategy was published on 11 February 2026 after internal negotiations among government ministries.

Quotes

• We, artisan butchers, work properly and with small farmers. We highlight the quality of the meat we offer — Alexandre Borges, operations director, Maison Le Bourdonnec
• The text makes a clear-eyed assessment of the nutritional and environmental situation — Serge Hercberg, co-creator of Nutri-Score

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