Some commentators in Spain believed that Alberto Garzón had already been processed into political “Steak Tatar”.

The Spanish consumer protection minister, however, survived the major cabinet reshuffle, although his latest demands had also aroused the displeasure of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

"For me, a medium-fried steak is unbeatable," said the Prime Minister.

He was responding to Garzón's recommendation to reduce meat consumption - for the sake of health and climate protection.

But his new “Less Meat, More Life” campaign ended in a storm of bipartisan outrage in Spain over the weekend.

Garzón only survived this because he is one of the ministers of the junior partner Podemos in the left-wing coalition, over which the head of government cannot decide.

Hans-Christian Roessler

Political correspondent for the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb, based in Madrid.

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Because not only the Spanish meat producers see a declaration of war in the words of the minister.

The conservative newspaper ABC accuses him of a “crusade against the flesh”.

Breeders accuse the minister of being a "liar" and having no idea of ​​the important contribution they are making to the nutrition of the country.

There is also criticism from his cabinet colleagues.

"This campaign is just as wrong as the statement that sugar kills," says Agriculture and Food Minister Luis Planas.

Economic dependence on meat consumption

Meat production plays an important role in the Spanish economy.

This is particularly true of Iberian ham, which is also in great demand abroad.

Nine of the total of 28 billion euros that the industry recently earned came from exports.

Overall, the industry accounts for 2.3 percent of Spain's economic output.

Around two and a half million jobs depend on it.

The Spaniards themselves ate less and less meat in recent years - until the corona pandemic began and demand increased: From 45.2 kilograms per person in 2019 to 49.9 kilograms in 2020. Germans consume more in comparison: At 57.3 kilograms per person, consumption last year was lower than ever since the statistics began in 1989.

But the minister does not let himself be unsettled. He wanted to contribute with his campaign to "save thousands of lives," he said confidently in a television interview. “We have to go back to the Mediterranean diet, reduce the consumption of meat. That doesn't mean that one should stop eating meat. But you have to do it in compliance with health requirements, ”said the minister, who sees his move in line with the long-term plans of his government.

The future plan “España 2050” refers to studies according to which meat consumption in the Spanish population is two to five times higher than recommended.

Garzón himself relies on recommendations from the World Health Organization, the World Food Organization and the EU, which also address the harmful effects of factory farming on the environment and climate.

More than 14 percent of greenhouse gas emissions came from large companies in particular, says Garzón.

It takes 15,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of beef.

But instead of debating it, it continued with polemics.

Photos of the left-wing politician's wedding in 2017 were distributed.

Allegedly, Garzón had thinly sliced ​​ham and beef fillet served to his 270 guests at a winery in the Rioja region.