In the next episode of EVS Talks, Julia Sawka and Morgan Janowicz (Green REV Institute) talk with Fanny Veillet – Rival, political advisor to the L214 organization from France.

“Fanny Veillet-Rival: – In general, from the right to the far right, there is mainly the slogan: “more French meat, more industry and fewer standards.”

The former centrist majority opposed the reduction of farmed animals and stagnated in comparison to the 2018 law by Hulot and the rather ambitious 2021 climate law, which allowed the introduction of plant-based meals in collective feeding. On the other hand, both leftist formations, namely La France Insoumise and Parti Communiste Français, support small-scale farming, organic farming and plant-based options. However, this is not really explicitly declared by the Parti Socialiste, which is a big part of the leftist coalition, let alone the Socialists. I would say that France is declaring support for moving to more sustainable plant-based diets, but in my opinion it would be surprising if our country took a leadership role, especially in the cultural battle over meat, which is deeply rooted in France. Identity and tradition are always difficult to challenge. Nevertheless, various organizations are working in favor of sustainable food, while the industrial agriculture lobby is much more audible and causal in the institutions that have guided and are guiding dietary recommendations, an example is the National Council for Mass Nutrition, which advises on the amount of meat and dairy products consumed by millions of people and has enormous power. There is a growing market for plant-based substitutes, and many of them are produced in France, sometimes even supported by public funding programs, but there are still very much divided, polarized opinions in the public debate. What’s more, the previous French government regularly tried to ban the use of terms like steak or sausage when referring to vegan alternatives.”

Entire interview

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