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Meat Warning Wurst News for Germans

Germans told to cut meat consumption for sake of the planet

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2009 1:49 AM CST
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(Newser) – Bratwurst-loving Germans have been told they must eat less meat for the health of the planet, reports the Guardian. The government's adviser on the environment is urging Germans to return to habits decades ago when meat was eaten only on Sundays and special occasions. Germans now eat far more meat than their European neighbors, obtaining 39% of their calories from meat or meat products, compared with 25% in Italy.

Agriculture is responsible for 15% of Germany's greenhouse gas emissions, and meat production is a key culprit, said the official, who recommended Germans adopt the eating habits of Mediterranean countries. "It hardly means sacrificing quality of life," he said. An agricultural adviser beefed about the comments, saying "enlightened consumers should decide for themselves what they want to eat."

A German soccer fan snacks on bratwurst. A German government official has appealed for Germans to eat less meat.
A German soccer fan snacks on bratwurst. A German government official has appealed for Germans to eat less meat.   (Getty Images)
Germans obtain 39% of their calories from meat, compared with 25% in Italy.
Germans obtain 39% of their calories from meat, compared with 25% in Italy.   (Getty Images)
Germans eat more meat than their European neighbors. A German government official has appealed for Germans to eat less bratwurst and schnitzel.
Germans eat more meat than their European neighbors. A German government official has appealed for Germans to eat less bratwurst and schnitzel.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
riffran
Jan 28, 2009 5:47 AM CST
and the t-bones, the fillet mignon, the bbq chicken, the pit roasted suckling pig....ooops sorry...you were advocating vegan choices...lol...
kati
Jan 25, 2009 9:28 PM CST
If the world were made up of "enlightened consumers" they would decide not to eat flesh. For the animals, the environment and human health.
riffran
Jan 23, 2009 7:46 PM CST
Being predominately German, from a german speaking family(although I forgot most of my german*bad son bad son*, raised in a German style of life, living in a community composed mainly of germanic/slavic cultural pooling, with strong german traditions ingrained into everyday life, I can safely say that by jokingly saying to stick it where the sun don't shine in german is not "republican's being insulting"....but more indicative of a cultural tendancy to balk at being told how to live.......Thats why my german, czech, irish wife calls me stubborn and hardheaded ....so setzen dass in ihrer leitung und rauch ist

Germans told to lay off the bratwurst
Telegraph (UK)

World • Green • Health • Lifestyle

 
environment • health • Germany • diet • bratwurst • schnitzel • meat consumption

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