Why excessive production standards and meat renunciation are not sustainable!

摘要

The results of this contribution derived from numerical partial and general equilibrium models exhibit an extrem poor cost-benefit-ratio of tightened production standards, a meat-free diet and trade restrictions in Germany and the EU. Large producer income and social welfare losses are taken into account for at best marginal, sometimes even counterproductive, contributions to the environment and food security. Instead of unilaterally trying to change consumption and dietary preferences as well as introducing costly production standards and one-sided trade barriers at a national level, policy should focus on fully taking advantage of technological progress and innovation. These areas include plant and livestock breeding, animal feeding, livestock production, animal health as well as irrigation systems and soil management. Hence, policy should create the according framework for research and development. In this area, Germany and the EU still need to catch up.