Food & Climate
Germany’s new agriculture minister, Alois Rainer, a Bavarian butcher, has sparked national controversy with his promise to bring meat back to school and kindergarten menus across the country.
Rainer, a trained butcher and member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), is set to replace Cem Özdemir of the Green Party in the upcoming government under Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz.
In a recent interview with the German tabloid Bild, Rainer emphasized the importance of a balanced diet, stating that meat should be offered alongside vegetarian options in educational institutions.
He criticized the previous administration’s focus on plant-based diets, referring to it as “Tofu-mania,” a term coined by CSU leader Markus Söder to describe the Green Party’s promotion of vegetarian and vegan eating habits, according to many reports seen by “Food & Climate” platform.
Cem Özdemir, the outgoing Green minister, introduced vegetarian-only days in his ministry’s canteen, which reportedly led to hungry bureaucrats going next door to get their fix of traditional meat dishes.
Rejecting Özdemir’s proposed tax increases on meat, Rainer said: “Meat prices are not set by the minister, but by the market.
Rainer said he believed that meat prices could even fall under Germany’s new government, which will be led by Friedrich Merz, according to “The Telegraph”.
Master sausage-maker
From the Rhineland to the Polish border, schoolchildren have suffered ever more plates of potato salad and cabbage rolls in recent years – with primary schools in Freiburg even banning meat products entirely.
But that is set to change under Alois Rainer’s incoming regime, with the master sausage-maker declaring that animal meat is part of a balanced diet and should be served regularly, “especially in kindergartens and schools”.
Rainer’s comments have sparked a range of reactions. Supporters argue that his approach restores traditional dietary practices and supports local farmers, while critics contend that it undermines efforts to reduce the environmental impact of meat consumption.
Environmental groups have voiced strong opposition, warning that promoting cheaper meat could exacerbate Germany’s climate crisis.
Anne Hamester, an expert on agriculture at Greenpeace, labeled the idea of “cheap meat” an “expensive illusion,” explaining that such policies would ultimately lead to worsening environmental degradation, as the costs associated with industrial meat production—such as excessive water use, deforestation, and methane emissions—are not reflected in the price of the product.
Despite the backlash from environmental advocates, Rainer’s position is rooted in his belief that meat plays an important cultural and nutritional role in German society. Germany has historically been one of the largest meat consumers in Europe, and Rainer views the promotion of meat as a way to support local farmers and ensure the nation’s food security. He has expressed a commitment to increasing subsidies for meat producers, thus making meat more affordable and accessible to all.
Adults’ meat consumption
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has weighed in on the debate, recommending that adults reduce their meat consumption to no more than 300 grams per week. The DGE’s guidelines reflect a growing body of research linking excessive meat consumption to higher risks of heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Despite these recommendations, Germany continues to consume more meat per capita than almost any other European country. In 2020, the average German ate 60 kilograms of meat annually, according to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Rainer’s proposal also highlights a broader cultural divide within German society, reflecting tensions between traditional eating habits and modern sustainability efforts. Proponents of Rainer’s approach argue that there is a place for both meat and plant-based options in the national diet. However, critics believe that an overemphasis on meat consumption fails to address the urgent need to shift toward more sustainable food systems.
As Germany transitions into its new government, the debate surrounding meat consumption is likely to intensify. The policies championed by Rainer signal a shift back toward more traditional food practices, prioritizing meat consumption in public institutions. However, this shift comes at a time when the world is grappling with the environmental impact of industrial farming, and many argue that Germany’s dietary policies must reflect global trends toward sustainability.
The discussions surrounding this issue will likely shape the future of food policy in Germany, balancing cultural traditions with the pressing need for environmental responsibility. As the new government takes shape, the outcome of this debate will have lasting implications for Germany’s agricultural policies and its role in global sustainability efforts, according to “FT”.