They were referencing the last paragraph of the OP, about being able to safely sunset a large portion of beef production.

Looking at a theoretical shift in production is not "wanting to stand in loco parentis".

It would be safe. That's a different question from how we make decisions, or who makes those decisions.

Precisely. I'm saying if we let the production capacity evaporate, which appears to be the trajectory we're on, there will be no harm. Will people be sad or have strong feelings about a luxury good being unaffordable? Potentially, and that's unfortunate.