The Issue with Subsidies

Subsidizing animal products vs. plant-based foods and how problematic it is.

Many people would argue that even if they wanted to go vegan, a vegan diet is too expensive, and this is why subsidies are a major systemic issue. Subsidies make meat extremely cheap to produce, while plant-based foods aren’t subsidized and therefore cost more. This makes going vegan much less plausible for a massive part of the population.

What even are subsidies?

Basically, subsidies are government financial benefits paid to a specific industry. When things are high in demand, the government pays the industry, therefore making the production and prices cheaper. This makes industries able to provide more of this resource to more people at an affordable price. In the case of agriculture, subsidies make products in high demand like beef or corn cheaper for the general public. Subsidies also ensure that if farmers have a problem with their crop that causes it not to grow, like weather or pests, they will pretty much still be payed. This provides stability and wider access.

This sounds great right? Wrong. It actually causes many problems, especially when it comes to veganism and access to healthy foods. Since meat and dairy are in such high demand in the U.S. they are heavily subsidized by the government. At the same time healthier foods, especially plant-based products, are not as subsidized. This causes an issue when it comes to health and access.

The U.S government spends $38 billion each year to subsidize the meat and dairy industries. A $5 Big Mac would cost $13 if the retail price included hidden expenses paid for by the government.

Veganism and vegetarianism are notoriously considered expensive lifestyles, however this should not be the case. Plant-based products and animal products would cost about the same if it weren't for subsidies.

If the government is making animal products cheaper, why not make plant- based products cheaper too?

In the western world there is an insane consumption of meat and dairy products. On average, Americans consume around 274 pounds of meat and 655 pounds of dairy a year per person. This is a cultural issue as well. Many Americans consider Meat and dairy a "must have" for a healthy diet. The U.S. is also known for its ridiculous meat and dairy-based foods. Because of this high demand, animal products are subsidized heavily, resulting in less subsidies for plant-based foods.

This means less Americans can afford to go vegan or vegetarian or even eat healthy. This massive injustice in the American food system results in health issues, food deserts, and less incentive for veganism and vegetarianism.

This must change.

Subsidies must shift from animal to plant-based products in order for a more just and sustainable system.

What can you do?

There is not much that can be done from the comfort of your own home for this issue. This is a problem of the government, so in order to enact change, action must happen on a larger scale. Something you can do is call your representatives and push the importance of addressing the problem of subsidies. If we elect officials with this in mind, a greater change could happen. One where healthy foods become more affordable.

Sources:

Sewell, Christina. “Removing the Meat Subsidy: Our Cognitive Dissonance Around Animal Agriculture.” Journal of International Affairs, Columbia, SIPA, 11 February 2020, https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/removing-meat-subsidy-our-cognitive-dissonance-around-animal-agriculture.

The Natural Resources Defense Council. “Industrial Agriculture 101.” NRDC, 12 August 2020, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/industrial-agriculture-101