Several recent publications show that beef and lamb received over 580 times more European subsidies than legumes in 2020. Pork and dairy also received much more financial support than nuts, seeds, and plant-based proteins.
In that same year, €39 billion in support went to the meat and dairy industry. For comparison: fruit and vegetables received €3.6 billion. For cereals, €2.4 billion was allocated.
Promotion
Per hectare
The support mainly runs through the European agricultural policy, where payments have so far largely been linked to land area. As a result, larger companies generally receive more subsidies from Brussels than smaller producers of plant-based crops.
Maintaining this distribution contributes to meat-heavy dietary patterns. Doctors and researchers warn that such diets have negative consequences for public health and the climate. Therefore, within the EU, efforts are underway to phase out hectare-based subsidies, and more money is being allocated to sustainability criteria in the agricultural sector.
Chemical lobby
At the same time, the European Commission is working on a so-called food and feed package that is supposed to adjust rules around pesticides and chemicals. According to critics, approval procedures are being sped up and relaxed, and chemical agents may remain on the market for longer.
Environmental organizations state that this poses risks to biodiversity and public health. They speak of an excessive influence of the pesticide lobby on the Commission's proposals.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the parliament adopted a motion calling on the new minority cabinet led by prospective Prime Minister Rob Jetten to oppose the easing of pesticide rules in Brussels. With this, the Dutch parliament speaks out against the proposed European changes.
New Prime Minister
Meanwhile, the Jetten cabinet is taking shape in The Hague. He will be the successor to Mark Rutte, who has been NATO Secretary General since the end of last year. On Tuesday, the new cabinet will be sworn in by King Willem-Alexander. The minority cabinet will have to navigate both the discussion about agricultural subsidies and the planned adjustment of pesticide rules within the European Union.