Page 16 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Kathrine Torday Gulden
NIBIO joins the debate on dietary guidelines
In August 2024, the Norwegian Directorate of Health introduced new dietary guidelines
based on the relationship between nutrition and health. But what are the consequences for
Norwegian agriculture and food security if these recommendations are followed?
The new guidelines advise reducing the intake of red
meat and dairy products while increasing the con-
sumption of fruits, vegetables, berries, legumes,
nuts, and plant oils.
Dr Anne Kjersti Bakken believes there is potential to
increase vegetable production in Norway. However,
following the recommendations to reduce milk and
red meat consumption would have significant conse-
quences for Norwegian agriculture as we know it
today.
Even the most optimistic estimates for increased
plant-based production would barely compensate for
the large reduction in grassland use resulting from
lower consumption of these animal products.
“If Norwegian food production is adjusted to align
with the new dietary guidelines, around 30 percent
of Norwegian agricultural land will go out of use,”
says Dr Bakken.
“This will be particularly challenging for regions such
as Western Norway, Innlandet, Nordland, Troms,
Finnmark, and parts of Trøndelag, where dairy farm-
ing is the backbone of agriculture. Major changes in
production will lead to significant shifts in land use
and value creation,” she concludes.
Audun Korsæth, Division Director at NIBIO, is
among those critical of the national dietary guide-
lines. He argues that the guidelines should support
food commodities that can be produced domesti-
cally.
“We could certainly eat a little less red and white
meat. But when the dietary guidelines promote foods
that are difficult to produce in Norway, I worry that
this could lead to increased imports and reduced
food security,” he says.
Purpose: Contact: NIBIO aims to take an active role in the debate about the future of Norwegian food production,
focusing on food security and agriculture across the country.
Research Professor Anne Kjersti Bakken, Division of Food Production and Society.
Email: anne.kjersti.bakken@nibio.no | Phone: +47 415 53 952
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