A new survey from Nibio shows that the average Norwegian consumed 37.6 kilograms of red meat last year. It is the lowest level that has been measured since 1992. As recently as 2007, Norwegians ate 7 kilograms more meat a year. At the same time, the consumption of lean meat is more or less unchanged. Tala corrects for food waste and cross-border trade, and appears in the report “The state of the meat” that the industry organization Animalia presented on Wednesday morning. Head of nutrition at Animalia, Karianne Spetaas Henriksen, says that “red meat has been under pressure from several quarters”. – The animal season in 2023 probably had an impact on our food choices, and at the same time the public debate about new dietary advice was in full swing. Head of nutrition at Animalia, Karianne Spetaas Henriksen clarifies that it is “too early” to determine whether the latest development is part of a long-term trend. Photo: Animalia – Finally a happy thing for the climate Last year the Norwegian Environment Agency presented a list of 85 measures to reduce Norwegian climate emissions. At the top of the list (see below) they placed changed food consumption, in line with the national dietary advice that no one should eat more than 500 grams of red a week. Correspondingly, the UN climate panel has pointed out more plant-based protein as a key in the fight against climate change. – Finally a happy thing for the climate, says Anja Bakken Riise. She is the leader of Framtiden in our hands, and has just received the latest meat report. – We have to produce more of what we eat, and in future there will be less meat and more vegetables. Politicians must stop fighting against development and double green production, she says. Anja Bakken Riise says that “the meat is piling up in cold storage, while Norwegians are in the process of changing their diet”. – Politicians must take that into account. Right now the government favors meat production that goes straight into the freezer. Photo: Jorunn Hatling / news – Meat-free dinner is not dinner Former Agriculture and Food Minister Sandra Borch (Sp) had to explain to the Storting last year what qualifies as “dinner”. The background was the declaration that “meat-free dinner is not dinner”. She was supported by fellow cabinet minister Geir Pollestad, who expressed that attitude-creating innovations such as “meat-free Monday” and other vegetarian concepts within the same genre were “no joke”. During the pandemic, Norwegian farmers were encouraged to produce more meat, but in the time since, turnover has failed. The consequence is that meat piles up in Norwegian cold storage. So much so that the meat giant Nortura last year introduced a “shot premium” for smaller animals, i.e. veal. The goal was to reduce the supply of meat at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Leader of Norway’s farmers’ association, Bjørn Gimming, characterized it as “a necessary step”, but added that it hurts to send animals with “unrealized potential” directly to the slaughterhouse. – I don’t think there are any farmers who like the calves going to slaughter before they are ready for slaughter, he said. – As many as six out of ten respond that production should increase. Norwegian farmers have also been encouraged to reduce pig mating and deliver lighter pigs for slaughter. The latest status report shows that the decline is greatest for pork in particular. The survey also shows that general confidence in the Norwegian meat and poultry industry and Norwegian meat and poultry products is stably high. Why should we eat less red meat? There are several reasons why many people recommend eating less red meat: Health: Studies have shown that a high intake of red and processed meat can be linked to an increased risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Environment: Meat production has a large environmental impact, including higher greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture and water consumption. Reducing meat consumption can contribute to more sustainable food production. Animal welfare: Reduced meat consumption can also contribute to better conditions for the animals that are kept for food production. Alternative: There are many good plant-based alternatives that can provide the same nutrients as red meat, such as beans, lentils, nuts and soy products. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. When asked about the importance of meat and egg production for self-sufficiency, food security and preparedness, 82 per cent of those questioned answered that it is important that we are as self-sufficient in food as possible in Norway. Henriksen in Animalia adds: – Fully six out of ten answer that production should increase with a view to self-sufficiency and preparedness. NTB Ingrid Liland, deputy leader of the Green Party Norwegian meat can undoubtedly contribute to increasing self-sufficiency as long as it is produced on Norwegian resources that could not be eaten directly by humans. But in practice, that is not what happens. Concentrated meat production from chicken and pigs does not contribute to higher self-sufficiency. Jorunn Hatling / news Anja Bakken Riise, The future in our hands The year has been marked by meat debates, and people are following along. The stores have had green campaigns, and we know that campaigns are important for the diet. Animalia Karianne Spetaas Henriksen, Head of Nutrition at Animalia Dyrtida in 2023 probably had an impact on our food choices, and at the same time the public debate about new dietary advice was in full swing. Red meat has been under pressure from several quarters. Although meat consumption has decreased somewhat in the last two years, it is too early to determine whether this is a long-term trend, Published 30.10.2024, at 10.42
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Report shows lowest level since 1992 – news Vestland
