Ministry leaves choice of vegetable or animal food to citizen

The government aims for a good and healthy balance in the ratio of animal and vegetable proteins in the diet of the consumer, without restricting the freedom of choice of the citizen. That is what Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality wrote in a letter to the House of Representatives in response to a plea from 32 organisations working in the field of animal rights, nature and the environment for a complete vegetable-based food supply. In an open letter, the organisations called on the House of Representatives to seriously consider a full vegetable food supply. They argue that the government does not allow enough research into this, while a plant-based diet offers opportunities for animals, people and the environment.

Schouten states in her response that the focus on the subject of a more vegetable-based food supply has actually increased in recent years and is still growing. In the letter she gives numerous examples of relevant research and innovation programmes. In the coming year, the development of a 'National Protein Strategy' will also give this further impetus.

For more information, see the letter from Minister Schouten on the website of the Ministry of LNV