Nonprofit think tank the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) has welcomed the EU Protein Action Plan’s recognition of the need to grow more protein crops to boost the bloc’s food resilience. 

But it has described the omission of concrete measures to scale up the production of plant-based foods as a ‘missed opportunity’ for European farmers who need confidence to shift towards growing protein crops for human consumption. 

The plan, published today, aims to increase the bloc’s economic competitiveness, outlining how Europe can reduce its reliance on imported soy and address a 19 million-tonne protein deficit that leaves farmers vulnerable to global price volatility and geopolitical disruptions.

It states that plant-based food and drinks are “well established and accepted in Europe”, adding that “from an economic and social standpoint, increased sales of plant-based-protein products create opportunities for farmers and rural communities”. 

GFI Europe has criticised the plan for lacking any reference to additional dedicated funding commitments supporting farmers who want to grow protein crops specifically for human consumption. Examples from EU countries, such as Denmark’s pledge to pay €68 million in bonuses to farmers who grow more protein crops, could have provided a blueprint for how the European Commission can help agricultural communities benefit from protein diversification. 

The plan also fails to include concrete proposals to invest in the research and innovation needed to overcome issues such as affordability, taste and convenience, which it highlights as barriers to greater uptake of these foods. 

An analysis published by GFI Europe last month found that sales of plant-based foods have increased in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, but more research and infrastructure are needed to unlock their economic potential by making them tastier and more affordable.

Advanced fermentation technologies

Although the plan acknowledges that advanced fermentation technologies can be used as a more sustainable way of producing animal feed, it stops short of fully acknowledging the potential role they can play in resilient food production. 

This includes biomass fermentation, a process similar to how tempeh is made, which can help reduce waste by transforming agricultural byproducts into nutritious and delicious food, including ingredients that look, cook and taste like meat. 

Another process, precision fermentation, has been used for decades to produce ingredients like rennet for cheese, and is now being used to make foods such as dairy proteins and sustainable palm oil.

Economic impact of protein diversification

Recent analysis by Systemiq indicates that treating protein diversification as a strategic priority could reduce the EU’s reliance on imported soy by nearly a quarter by 2040, and contribute nearly €111 billion to the bloc’s economy. It could also double demand for European-grown peas, fava beans, lentils and chickpeas, and increase demand for sugar and starch crops, such as sugar beet, used in fermentation. 

The report found that to realise these benefits, the EU needs to invest in the research and infrastructure necessary to make alternative proteins delicious and affordable.

The plan comes as China develops ambitious proposals to slash its reliance on imported feed and become a global leader in innovations like plant-based meat and precision fermentation.

A recent report projects that China will reduce soy imports by 25% by 2030 and that alternative proteins will meet up to 55% of China’s domestic animal protein demand by 2050.

Alex Holst, Deputy Head of Policy (EU) at GFI Europe, said: “It’s positive that the Protein Action Plan outlines the potential of protein diversification to reduce the EU’s dependence on imported crops, but building a more resilient and healthy food system will require more than warm words. 

“The plan lacks funding commitments to scale up plant-based proteins and fermentation, and proposals to support farmers to grow the crops needed for these foods. With China threatening Europe’s position as a world leader in protein diversification, the EU risks missing out on significant economic opportunities and remaining exposed to fragile global supply chains.”