Germany's plant-based boom sees 10 million ditch meat post-pandemic

The number of Germans adopting vegan or vegetarian diets has risen sharply since the start of the pandemic. In 2020, only five percent identified as vegetarian and one percent as vegan, but by 2021, these figures had doubled to ten percent and two percent respectively. This shift now means around ten million people in the country follow plant-based diets. PETA links the growing interest in plant-based food to concerns over pandemic risks. The organisation argues that livestock farms, live animal markets, and slaughterhouses are hotspots for dangerous germs. The World Health Organization has also warned that increased consumption of animal products raises the likelihood of future pandemics.

To accelerate the move away from animal agriculture, PETA urges policymakers to take action. It proposes higher taxes on meat, dairy, and eggs to discourage consumption. The group also calls for an end to subsidies for industrial animal farming. Instead, it suggests redirecting this financial support toward organic vegan farming to encourage a sustainable shift in production. With ten million Germans now following vegan or vegetarian diets, the trend shows a clear move away from animal products. PETA’s proposals aim to further reduce reliance on livestock by making plant-based options more viable. The organisation believes these steps would lower the risk of future pandemics tied to animal agriculture.