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Video length: 2 min
Food: The French are abandoning red meat
Consumption of red meat has fallen sharply over the past 20 years in France. Its price, but also its effects on the climate and on health, dissuade the French, who often prefer poultry.
(France 2)
Consumption of red meat has fallen sharply over the past 20 years in France. Its price, but also its effects on the climate and on health, dissuade the French, who often prefer poultry.
We find less and less red meat on French plates. In 20 years, its consumption has fallen by 19%. If meat is at the heart of local gastronomy, the phenomenon is nevertheless visible in Lyon (Rhône). A woman says she doesn’t buy “practically only ground steaks, and (the) meat is chicken and turkey”At a city market, locals discuss both the price of meat and its harmful effects on the environment.
Beef consumption is therefore declining, in favor of more affordable poultry. In France, chicken is one of the most consumed meats, with 28% of sales. “We know that for health, it’s not extraordinary, especially red meat. And then it’s true that it’s expensive, it’s very expensive”, adds a retiree. A new situation which requires traders to adapt. Halving French meat consumption would make it possible to achieve the climate objectives set by the State.
