In recent years, in particular during holidays such as the Eastera significant change is finally being recorded in the food habits of Italians. One of the most obvious signals is the constant decrease in the consumption of lamb meata dish that has always been considered traditional in many families.
According to the surveys of the Italian Italian agricultorsin 2024 there was a drop by 20% compared to the previous year in the consumption of this meat. However this trend is not new: the data of theIstat show that the number of lambs slaughtered annually in Italy has dropped drasticallypassing beyond 5 million in 2002 alone 2 million in 2023.
The causes: economics, health and animal welfare
The reasons for this decline are manifold. On the one hand weighs the crisis of shepherd Italian, with a decrease in the offer due to the reduction of farms. On the other hand, it also affects the less purchasing power of families, who pushes more economic food choices.
But the economic component is not the only one. A 2023 research has highlighted that over half of the Italians began to reduce the consumption of Meat and dairy products for health reasons. A further 27% of the interviewees indicated the main motivation of the concern for animal welfare.
Animal conditions: an ethical problem
The Conditions of transport of the lambsespecially those imported alive by other European countries, represent one of the most discussed topics at ethical level. Animalist organizations have been reporting for years serious irregularities In the travels of these animals, often crammed into trucks overcrowdedwithout sufficient air and inadequate sinking systems.
In many cases the lambs travel for days without drinkingloaded on vehicles designed for other species. To this is added the fact that it is often of puppies torn prematurely from the mothersintended for slaughter before even knowing a real life.
In light of this information, it is increasingly urgent to reflect on ours food choicesespecially on the occasion of the holidays. Replace meat with vegetable alternatives It can help reduce animal suffering and promote a more sustainable and less cruel food model.
