What does the new EU legislation mean for plant-based proteins?

The European Commission has recently unveiled its new agri-food vision, which sets out the future direction for the development of the food and farming sector. While the document in its current form does not reflect support for the development of sustainable food systems and an increased role for plant-based proteins, there is no reason to panic just yet. The real changes will be determined by the draft legislation that will follow the vision.

Livestock and meat consumption

Recommendations from the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the EU’s agricultural economy, which ended last year, called for a reduction in meat consumption in the EU, while promoting a shift to plant proteins to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Agriculture accounts for 11% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, and livestock currently accounts for 84%, yet it is given a prominent place in the agri-food vision just published: the term “livestock” is used 19 times in the text, while “plant-based proteins” is not mentioned once.

According to the document, livestock farming “remains a fundamental part of EU agriculture, competitiveness and cohesion” and, although it promises to be more sustainable, it does not set out specific measures to reduce the share of animal products in agricultural output. However, the final direction will be decided in the legislative process.

The future of plant alternatives

The Strategic Dialogue has proposed that the EU should support alternative proteins – such as precision fermentation and cell-cultured meat – that can contribute to a more sustainable food system. However, the agri-food vision does not go into detail on this, stating only that “the way in which protein sources are produced and consumed must be taken into account”. Real regulatory measures are still taking shape.

The regulatory situation for alternative dairy products also remains unchanged: current EU regulations do not allow plant-based products to use names referring to dairy products (e.g. ‘milk’ or ‘cheese’). The vision does not address this issue either, so plant-based alternatives may remain at a disadvantage – unless future legislation changes this.

Meat and dairy subsidies and future orientations

Currently, EU farm support is mainly focused on livestock: the meat and dairy sectors receive four times as much support as crop-based farming, and 82% of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) resources go to livestock.

While the document promises that farmers actively involved in climate-friendly food production will receive more support, the details will have to be worked out during the legislative process. It is also possible that plant proteins and sustainable alternatives will be better off if the final legislation moves in the right direction.

What can we expect in the future?

The agri-food vision has left many questions unanswered. The next period will determine the direction of EU food policy in concrete legislation. The EU organises an annual “Food Dialogue” event, which provides an opportunity for stakeholders from across the food supply chain to have their say. In addition, a study is being launched on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which may indirectly affect the market for meat substitutes.

Failure to promote sustainable protein sources could have serious consequences for the EU food system and climate goals, but the final decisions will be taken in the legislative processes of the next period. Protein diversification could help to reduce the environmental burden of food production and ensure the long-term sustainability of European agriculture – but it requires political will and a support system that takes sustainability into account.

The position of NEGYOSZ

In our view, this vision does not take sufficient account of scientific recommendations and is not conducive to more sustainable food systems in the EU. NEGYOSZ will continue to work along these lines to ensure that legislation and decisions are taken to address the growing environmental problems caused by the food system. We therefore believe that, although the current news is not good, there is no reason to panic, as the situation is still evolving and the real direction will be decided in the draft legislation.

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Source of the featured image: Pixabay