The UECBV, the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union, and Anafric, a Spanish meat business association, support the new European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and ask together with the Industry4Europe industrial forum for the assumption of a new strategic line for European industries that has sustainability and environment among its priority fields. Industry4Europe is a coalition of 149 sector associations representing the diversity of the EU industrial base, including the meat sector.
Protect citizens and the environment
From Industry4Europe a whole series of recommendations will be established distributed in seven priority fields, among which the strengthening of the European single market, innovation and, of course, sustainability and environmental care, with the sole purpose of “protecting citizens and to the global environment ”.
In the week that the Madrid Climate Summit begins, Anafric, as a member of the UECBV, wants to highlight the strategy promoted by the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union to support and promote the Green Deal, a commitment to In 2050, companies in all sectors – including meat – have a neutral emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Fight for climate change, without weakening the sector
“It is a cooperation for the common good. An agreement to work together, producers and consumers, without any winners or losers. At the last meeting of November 7 and 8 of the UECBV in Greece, the need for internal change regarding the sustainability of the meat sector was put on the table ”, explains José Fríguls, president of Anafric and treasurer of the UECBV. “The fight is necessary, but we do not intend to weaken the cattle,” explains Fríguls, endorsing the words of the Vice Minister of Rural Development and Food of Greece, Fotini Arabatzis. “The meat industry brings value, proximity, gives work and feeds the population but in the next 10 years we have to mitigate all those aspects of our industry that contribute to climate change.”
The sector has been working on this mitigation of the effects of climate change for some time, they point out from Anafric. “The pig sector drives more sustainable practices; the sheep and goat sector carry out new models of quality and sustainability and the beef sector is doing the same with the Life Beef Carbon project, in which UECBV participates, to reduce the carbon footprint of beef cattle by 15% in the next 10 years collectively and shared in four European countries producing beef cattle: France, Italy, Ireland and Spain ”. The sector moves. The facts guarantee it.
Meat the facts: campaign to promote better knowledge of the meat sector
“We won’t tell you what to eat, drink or wear, but its good to hear the two sides of the story about the livestock. Because when you make your choice you also choose with all the consequences ”.
This is one of the messages of the #Meatthefacts campaign, the voice of the UECBV in defense of the sector. In recent times debates are taking place where many myths and stereotypes are mixed, in contrast to the reality experienced by farmers and professionals.
As evidenced by meatthefacts.eu, “the EU livestock model, based on diversified agricultural structures, local and family, is the backbone of the rural areas of the EU. It is compatible with a large number of jobs and industries, contributes to a circular and bioeconomic economy, while ensuring a constant and affordable supply of nutritious foods, necessary for a balanced diet. While the sector is fully aware and acts on many challenges, the elimination of livestock from Europe would have serious consequences. ”
The campaign aims to #Meatthefacts aims to “offer a certain balance to the debate on the future of livestock.”
