The Food Versus Feed Debate: Could a Reduction in Meat Production Benefit Germany?

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight various aspects of the discussion around meat reduction and provide a simplified, preliminary calculation of the potential gains that lay in reducing intensive meat production in Germany. In Germany, a reduction of meat production down to a level that would follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization for a healthy diet has the potential to free up a significant amount of land currently used to harvest animal feed and instead harness it directly as agricultural land for food production. This sharp increase in available nutrition would increase the level of food security in Germany and, consequently, self-sufficiency, due to the reduction of import dependence.