Posters warnings of harmful state promotion of food

Before the World Climate Change Day, which is celebrated on May 15th, advertisements came to life in hundreds of poster sites around Slovenia, at first glance of hair similar ads of retail chains, AZ different messages. Political decision makers are calling for encouraging the transition to a sustainable food supply system, and the general public to choose food more friendly to health and the environment.

Author of posters with a work title After a common sense of peasant they are a designer Tit Jaklič and a songwriter Vito sitting From the agency 101. With an idea that encourages the purchase of local, seasonal and sustainable food, they convinced the jury of an international competition announced by the Umanotera Environmental Non-Governmental Organization in cooperation with the TAM TAM Institute. 135 works from 21 countries arrived. “We hope that our work will address as many individuals as possible and remind them that it is really easy to start eating more sustainable. Even with a little common sense, every one of us can quickly recognize foods that are not good for cherries, and choose those that are friendly to it and the environment, « said the young creatives.

Choosing a food supply system as the main topic of this year’s 15th, World Climate Change Day, is not random. This area is quite overlooked in our country when we are talking about addressing the climate crisis, said Director Umanoter Gaja Brecelj. “The system of production and consumption of food is, on the one hand, a great victim of climate change and, on the other, their cause. On a global level, the source of almost a third of the human being caused by greenhouse gas emissions and is the second largest driver of climate crisis for energy. In order to reduce emissions and other adverse environmental impacts resulting from food supply, we also need to stimulate the transition to a sustainable food supply system in Slovenia. This will also increase its resistance to climate change, ”she stressed.

Money for the sector that causes the most releases

Steps to establish a sustainable food chain should be taken both at the systemic level and at the individual level. At the system level, state promotion of food plays an important role (Our super food), which the Umanoter warns that « under the great influence of livestock and meat processing lobbies. » “The applicable law on the promotion of agricultural and food products gives the basis for a sectoral unbalanced promotion. The highest self -supply sector (meat and milk), which also cause the highest number of agricultural emissions and other adverse environmental impacts, are paradoxically receiving the most promotion. ”This year, the amount from the sector and the budget for the promotion of meat and milk is estimated at almost one million euros (958,200 euros), and the fruit sector is only 150,000 euros for the fruit sector. Gaja Brecelj.

In Umanoter, they argue that public funds should support the direction of consumption in accordance with the guidelines of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. This means that by state promotion it makes sense to support the « malnourished » sectors of vegetables and fruits and organic agriculture, Brecelj said. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food have been addressed by changes that would contribute to a more balanced, inclusive and sustainable promotion of agricultural and food products, and would also contribute to an increase in self -sufficiency in Slovenia in areas of fruits and vegetables, where the self -sufficiency rate is worryingly low.

As much food as possible

At the end of this year, a valid strategic plan of promoting agricultural and food products 2019–2025 will expire, and the ministry must submit a new ministry to receive at least half a year before the expiry of the valid one. In Umanoter, they hope that the Ministry in the eyes of the public’s eye will invisible to prepare the strategic plan in a timely manner in a timely manner of the general professional and interested public, as it will set long -term orientations for planning and implementing promotion for six years.

Social changes are often largely dependent on systemic shifts, it is precisely nutrition that is one of the areas where an individual can have a major impact by choosing health and climate -friendly food every day. This means food, which is mostly plant -based, which is produced sustainable, locally, which is seasonal, as small as possible and as little packaged as possible, explained Gaja Brecelj. « From the point of view of reducing our influence on climate change, the most important thing is to eat as much food of plant origin as possible, » she stressed. In addition, reducing the consumption of meat and meat products and consuming a greater proportion of plant foods is also important for health. In his recommendations, this was also emphasized by the National Institute of Public Health.