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From Livestock to Legumes: Economic Drivers and Barriers in Norway's Agricultural Policy Landscape

Kapstad Botilsrud, Vibeke LU (2025) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20251
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Agricultural subsidies and taxation policies in Norway remain heavily skewed toward livestock, reinforcing structural barriers that hinder the transition toward sustainable and plant-based food systems. This study examines how policy drivers and barriers sustain Norway’s meat-dominated agricultural model and limit the development of plant-based production. To address this aim, the thesis investigates how subsidies and taxation policies shape opportunities and constraints for plant-based production (RQ1), explores which types of transitions key actors consider most beneficial (RQ2), and examines the barriers and politically feasible policy measures identified by stakeholders (RQ3). To answer these questions, a qualitative analysis of 16... (More)
Agricultural subsidies and taxation policies in Norway remain heavily skewed toward livestock, reinforcing structural barriers that hinder the transition toward sustainable and plant-based food systems. This study examines how policy drivers and barriers sustain Norway’s meat-dominated agricultural model and limit the development of plant-based production. To address this aim, the thesis investigates how subsidies and taxation policies shape opportunities and constraints for plant-based production (RQ1), explores which types of transitions key actors consider most beneficial (RQ2), and examines the barriers and politically feasible policy measures identified by stakeholders (RQ3). To answer these questions, a qualitative analysis of 16 semi-structured interviews was conducted. The results show that subsidies overwhelmingly support livestock, while horticulture remains underfunded and dependent on market income. Interviewees envision incremental subsidy reallocation, stronger public procurement, and VAT reductions on fruit and vegetables as promising entry points. Barriers include closed negotiations, retail concentration, and entrenched cultural narratives. The study concludes that structural reform faces strong path dependencies, but incremental measures can serve as stepping stones. It highlights opportunities for policymakers, farmers, retailers, and NGOs, and suggests that broader alliances around health, preparedness, and food security may enhance political feasibility. Globally, these findings illustrate how entrenched agricultural policy frameworks can be reoriented toward sustainability by addressing not only economic incentives but also institutional and cultural lock-ins. (Less)
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author
Kapstad Botilsrud, Vibeke LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
plant-based agriculture, animal agriculture, agricultural policy, economic instruments, drivers, barriers
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2025:41
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9215371
date added to LUP
2025-11-17 13:46:07
date last changed
2025-11-17 13:46:07
@misc{9215371,
  abstract     = {{Agricultural subsidies and taxation policies in Norway remain heavily skewed toward livestock, reinforcing structural barriers that hinder the transition toward sustainable and plant-based food systems. This study examines how policy drivers and barriers sustain Norway’s meat-dominated agricultural model and limit the development of plant-based production. To address this aim, the thesis investigates how subsidies and taxation policies shape opportunities and constraints for plant-based production (RQ1), explores which types of transitions key actors consider most beneficial (RQ2), and examines the barriers and politically feasible policy measures identified by stakeholders (RQ3). To answer these questions, a qualitative analysis of 16 semi-structured interviews was conducted. The results show that subsidies overwhelmingly support livestock, while horticulture remains underfunded and dependent on market income. Interviewees envision incremental subsidy reallocation, stronger public procurement, and VAT reductions on fruit and vegetables as promising entry points. Barriers include closed negotiations, retail concentration, and entrenched cultural narratives. The study concludes that structural reform faces strong path dependencies, but incremental measures can serve as stepping stones. It highlights opportunities for policymakers, farmers, retailers, and NGOs, and suggests that broader alliances around health, preparedness, and food security may enhance political feasibility. Globally, these findings illustrate how entrenched agricultural policy frameworks can be reoriented toward sustainability by addressing not only economic incentives but also institutional and cultural lock-ins.}},
  author       = {{Kapstad Botilsrud, Vibeke}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{From Livestock to Legumes: Economic Drivers and Barriers in Norway's Agricultural Policy Landscape}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}