The discussion is being hosted by Debating Europe in partnership with the LiveWell for LIFE project and has a panel of experts taking part, which includes: Roberto Bertollini, chief scientist and World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the EU; Miko Ladislav, deputy director general for the Food Chain at the European Commission; and Sue Dibb, co-ordinator of the Eating Better project.
Consumers are also being encouraged to get involved in the debate by leaving comments and suggestions on the debating website, which will then be put to the experts as well as policy-makers and politicians.
The debate focuses on the concept of eating less meat. The website says: "What would be the environmental impact of Europeans eating less meat? According to a new UN report, carbon emissions from agriculture could be slashed by up to 40%, air and water pollution levels could be cut, and cholesterol problems and obesity would be reduced if Europeans cut their meat and dairy consumption by half."
Bertollini said that reducing the excessive consumption of meat could improve the health of "the people and the planet", while Dibb said consumers should be eating less, but better meat. Ladislav said the logic of eating less meat was the right one.
Alessandra Baldissin, project manager, said: "LiveWell for LIFE is bringing together notable people in health, the environment and business to create policies and demand for climate-friendly healthy food. The debates, hosted by Debating Europe, are looking at the effects of converging public health and sustainability, the price of sustainable food and the place sustainable consumption has on the EC policy agenda."
To take part in the debate, visit http://www.debatingeurope.eu/2014/04/29/should-europeans-be-encouraged-to-eat-more-sustainably/