Anita Frehner1, Renée P M Cardinaals2, Imke J M de Boer3, Adrian Muller4, Christian Schader5, Benjamin van Selm6, Ollie van Hal3, Giulia Pestoni7, Sabine Rohrmann8, Mario Herrero9, Hannah H E van Zanten2. 1. Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland; Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands; Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands. Electronic address: anita.frehner@fibl.org. 2. Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands. 3. Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands. 4. Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland; Institute of Environmental Decisions, Federal Institutes of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), Zurich, Switzerland. 5. Department of Socioeconomics, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland. 6. Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands; Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands. 7. Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Nutrition Group, Health Department, Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland. 8. Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 9. Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: National food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are generally designed from a human health perspective and often disregard sustainability aspects. Circular food production systems are a promising solution to achieve sustainable healthy diets. In such systems, closing nutrient cycles where possible and minimising external inputs contribute to reducing environmental impacts. This change could be made by limiting livestock feed to available low-opportunity-cost biomass (LOCB). We examined the compatibility of national dietary guidelines for animal products with livestock production on the basis of the feed supplied by available LOCB. METHODS: We investigated whether the national dietary recommendations for animal products for Bulgaria, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland could be met with domestically available LOCB. We used an optimisation model that allocates feed resources to different species of farm animals. Of the resulting scenarios, we assessed the nutritional feasibility, climate impact, and land use. FINDINGS: Our results showed the environmental benefits of reducing the recommended animal products in the FBDGs, and that animal products from LOCB could provide between 22% (Netherlands) and 47% (Switzerland) of total protein contributions of the FBDGs. This range covers a substantial part of the nutritional needs of the studied populations. To fully meet these needs, consumption of plant-based food could be increased. INTERPRETATION: Our results contribute to the discussion of what quantities of animal products in dietary guidelines are compatible with circular food systems. Thus, national dietary recommendations for animal products should be revised and recommended quantities lowered. This finding is consistent with recent efforts to include sustainability criteria in dietary guidelines. FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation and the Dutch Research Council.
BACKGROUND: National food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are generally designed from a human health perspective and often disregard sustainability aspects. Circular food production systems are a promising solution to achieve sustainable healthy diets. In such systems, closing nutrient cycles where possible and minimising external inputs contribute to reducing environmental impacts. This change could be made by limiting livestock feed to available low-opportunity-cost biomass (LOCB). We examined the compatibility of national dietary guidelines for animal products with livestock production on the basis of the feed supplied by available LOCB. METHODS: We investigated whether the national dietary recommendations for animal products for Bulgaria, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland could be met with domestically available LOCB. We used an optimisation model that allocates feed resources to different species of farm animals. Of the resulting scenarios, we assessed the nutritional feasibility, climate impact, and land use. FINDINGS: Our results showed the environmental benefits of reducing the recommended animal products in the FBDGs, and that animal products from LOCB could provide between 22% (Netherlands) and 47% (Switzerland) of total protein contributions of the FBDGs. This range covers a substantial part of the nutritional needs of the studied populations. To fully meet these needs, consumption of plant-based food could be increased. INTERPRETATION: Our results contribute to the discussion of what quantities of animal products in dietary guidelines are compatible with circular food systems. Thus, national dietary recommendations for animal products should be revised and recommended quantities lowered. This finding is consistent with recent efforts to include sustainability criteria in dietary guidelines. FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation and the Dutch Research Council.