The rise of plant-based milk has threatened Federated Farmers, who in a recent interview said plant-based alternatives should be banned from using the term ‘milk’.
New Zealand Federated Farmers Dairy Group Industry spokesperson Chris Lewis told Magic Talk’s Rural Exchange that plant-based products shouldn’t be allowed to use the term ‘milk’. This was during a discussion about moves by Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) to restrict the term to bovine dairy products in Australia.
SAFE’s Eat Kind Programme Coordinator Krysta Neve says the industry is feeling threatened as customers make conscious purchasing decisions.
“Plant-based milk products like soy and almond milk have been around for centuries,” says Krysta.
“A recent Horizon Research Poll said Kiwis are eating less meat and dairy products. It also indicated the majority of Kiwis would consider removing meat from their diets entirely. This shift has threatened both the meat and dairy industries. They appear to be considering anti-competitive tactics to protect their interests, like what we’re seeing in Australia.”
Plant-based meat company Sunfed Meats has seen similar legal action. The Poultry Industry Association New Zealand (PIANZ) took them to the Commerce Commission in 2017, claiming the labelling of its ‘Chicken Free Chicken’ breached the Fair Trading Act. A spokesperson for the Commission said that Sunfed had not breached the act, as the package stated that the product was made from plant protein.
“Kiwis are demanding kinder alternatives that combat animal suffering, environmental degradation and preventable diseases. There are so many delicious alternatives on the market now that we are spoiled for choice. Milk alternatives are just a small part of a huge market also offering animal-free meats, cheeses and ice creams among many others.”
“It’s never been easier for Kiwis to take meat and dairy off their plate. We encourage everyone to try it out by signing up to our six-week 100% Plant-Based Challenge.”
Milk as word is used much more widely than just for a mammalian nutrition.
If it was reserved then surely that would be for human milk not dairy cows, goats, sheep, pigs or any other domesticated beast.
The human gut processes a variety of plant matter well as it has been a staple for the millennia of human evolution. It does not handle animal flesh or products without cost.
The protein myth is still alive and for the small amount of protection need plant sources are superior. We also need carbs which plants supply.
Farmers in NZ invested in production of products that most likely will need change.
Plant based food production is less oil intensive and better for humans and the environment. It takes less land. less water and adds to atmospheric oxygen as well as absorbing CO2.
Quite the opposite to dairy cows for example
So come on farmers get your head out of the sand.
Stop polluting.
Plant edible crops and trees.
Learn a new way of life and thinking.
It is a myth that growing plants to produce plant based foods , ie, fake milk or fake meat, uses less water. Plants still need water, and growing and harvesting them still needs large tractors, harvesters and trucks. Not to mention the cost of the fsctories where the plant based product is made. What will happen is that the poor will only be able to buy the processed fake foods with god knows what in them, and the rich will xtill eat real meat and drink real milk. Just another way to keep the power at the top, for the rich.
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