What are the current agricultural policies and other public policies that support animal-based food systems, and how are they legitimised ?
Context and Relevance:
Current agricultural policies predominantly support animal-based food systems, with subsidies, trade agreements, and environmental regulations structured to sustain animal agriculture. These policies are often legitimized by economic, cultural, and historical narratives that reflect the long-standing role of animal agriculture in food systems and rural livelihoods. However, growing environmental, ethical, and health concerns call for a critical re-examination of these policies and a shift toward plant-based food systems. Understanding how public and agricultural policies can be reformed to facilitate such transitions is crucial for developing sustainable food systems and addressing global challenges like climate change and food insecurity.
Potential Research Approach:
Analysis of Current Agricultural Policies: Examine existing agricultural and public policies (e.g., subsidies, trade agreements, and environmental laws) that support animal-based food systems. Analyze how these policies are structured to provide financial and infrastructural support for animal agriculture, and assess their environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Legitimization and Political Narratives: Investigate how agricultural policies supporting animal-based food systems are legitimized through political discourse, cultural traditions, and economic frameworks. This includes examining how these narratives are constructed and maintained, particularly in rural communities, and how they hinder or oppose shifts toward plant-based systems.
Policy Gaps and Inconsistencies: Identify inefficiencies and gaps in existing agricultural and public policies that prevent a fair and balanced support for plant-based agriculture. Highlight how current policies overlook or inadequately support plant protein production, novel crop development, and sustainable food systems.
Policy Transition Strategies: Explore frameworks for transitioning from animal-based to plant-based food systems. This may involve reforming subsidies, creating incentives for plant-based agriculture, revising trade agreements, and supporting plant-based research and development. Highlight innovative policies from regions that have successfully incorporated plant-based eating into their food systems.
Public and Private Sector Intersections: Analyze the role of private sector governance in shaping both animal-based and plant-based food systems. This includes examining the influence of food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants in promoting plant-based products and how public-private partnerships can support transitions in food systems.
Case Studies on Policy Reform: Study international or regional case studies where agricultural policies have shifted toward plant-based food systems. Evaluate the methods used, the challenges encountered, and the effectiveness of policy reforms in reducing reliance on animal agriculture and promoting sustainable plant-based alternatives.
Additional Questions:
How do current agricultural policies disproportionately support animal-based food systems?
What cultural, historical, and economic narratives are used to legitimize these policies?
What gaps and inefficiencies in existing policies hinder the support for plant-based food systems?
How can public policies be reformed to facilitate a transition to plant-based food systems?
What role can private sector governance play in promoting plant-based eating and reducing reliance on animal-based products?