Food System Transformation: From Farm to Fork

Transforming the global food system to reduce animal suffering requires changes at every level: production, policy, retail, and consumer behaviour.

Key Facts

The global food system is responsible for over one third of greenhouse gas emissions
Animal agriculture uses 77 percent of agricultural land but provides only 18 percent of global calories
Over 80 billion land animals are raised for food each year under industrial conditions
The EAT-Lancet Commission recommends halving red meat consumption globally
Food system transformation requires policy alignment, corporate action, and consumer change
Public sector procurement accounts for a significant share of food demand in many countries

Welfare Considerations

No single intervention can transform the food system alone. Progress requires coordinated action across policy (taxation, subsidies, procurement), corporate commitments, retail nudges, and cultural change. Animal welfare advocates should engage at all these levels, forming coalitions with climate, health, and food justice movements.

What You Can Do

Support political candidates who champion sustainable and humane food policies
Advocate for ending fossil fuel-style subsidies to factory farming
Engage with school, hospital, and government procurement to increase plant-based options
Join coalitions that link animal welfare with environmental and public health goals
Reduce personal meat consumption and encourage others to do the same