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We join forces with The Eating Better alliance to launch the ‘Better by Half’ roadmap
ProVeg UK joins, The Eating Better alliance, comprised of over 60 organisations, who today set out steps to stimulate a 50% reduction in meat and dairy consumption in the UK by 2030.
‘Better by half: A roadmap to less and better meat and dairy’ was launched at an event for businesses, MPs, NGOs and others in Westminster this morning. It provides actions to help create the right environment for people to eat better for themselves and the planet.
The case for everyone to reduce animals consumption is well evidenced. Public awareness of livestock’s environmental impact is growing. A 2019 YouGov Survey commissioned by Eating Better showed that understanding had grown by 23% since 2017. The 2019 survey also found that 48% of people in the UK are willing or already committed to cutting down or cutting out meat.
The value of diversifying diets to include more vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and pulses is clear. But it isn’t always easy for people to make good food choices. ProVeg and The Eating Better alliance continue to work hard at making this global food transition easier for all and the ‘Better by Half’ map is a powerful asset within this goal.
Shirley Cramer, Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health has said: ‘We know that where we live, and work plays a huge role in our health and wellbeing. Children from the poorest areas with the most unhealthy food environments are twice as likely to be obese as their wealthier counterparts. It is vital that we have robust national and local policies in place to improve the environment so that the default food option is the healthy one. Only then will we begin to tackle our growing health inequalities’
The roadmap demonstrates the critical importance of government action. One of the actions set out in the roadmap is for the UK Government to ‘deliver a cross-departmental food and farming strategy.’
Simon Billing, Executive Director of Eating Better has said: ‘The Eating Better alliance has been encouraged by recent announcements by the UK Government. They have laid out legislation for the UK to contribute net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and announced an independent review to inform a National Food Strategy. The alliance is keen to see these commitments turn to action as there is a feeling that Government has lagged behind consumers, growers and food businesses for too long. They need to be at the table in creating the right environment for people to eat more sustainably.’
The roadmap sets concrete and actionable suggestions, with examples of leadership from businesses and organisations.
