French government advises limiting meat consumption to support climate goals

11:30

By: Sahili Aya

French government advises limiting meat consumption to support climate goals

The French government has issued new recommendations encouraging citizens to limit the consumption of meat and processed meat products as part of its National Strategy for Food, Nutrition, and Climate (Snanc). The long-awaited document, which has been under development for over two years, also emphasizes the reduction of imported meat to support environmental and climate objectives.

The strategy, jointly released by the Ministries of Agriculture, Ecological Transition, and Health, stops short of demanding a strict reduction in overall meat consumption but encourages moderation, particularly for products with significant environmental footprints. Officials say that curbing imported meat consumption could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote local, sustainable food production.

While the guidelines focus on moderation rather than prohibition, they are expected to spark public debate given France’s strong culinary traditions and cultural attachment to meat. Experts note that such policies reflect a growing global trend linking dietary habits to climate action, with the goal of aligning food consumption patterns with sustainability targets.