Policy priorities for alternative protein

State of global policy report

Read the latest State of Global Policy Report published by our global team to uncover a snapshot of the global policy landscape for alternative proteins.

Discover the report

Policy initiatives

The Good Food Institute Europe’s policy team focuses on three key areas to maximise the societal benefits of plant-based and cultivated meat.

VTT Espoo facility, man working with fermentor to produce protein ingredients using biomass fermentation — Image: VTT / Vesa Kippola

Securing public R&D funding

Public sector investment in open-access research will maximise the societal benefits of alternative proteins. Learn how GFI Europe secures public funding for research and development.

Supporting evidence-based regulation

A clear regulatory path to market is crucial for consumer confidence in alternative proteins. Learn how GFI Europe supports evidence-based regulation.

Keeping labelling rules clear

Clear labelling helps the public to make informed and sustainable food choices. Learn how GFI Europe protects plain language for alternative proteins.

Policy approaches to address Europe’s biggest challenges

Public R&D funding and supportive policies will ensure that alternative proteins are affordable and accessible for all, helping to reduce the environmental impact of Europe’s food system, improve public health, and feed more people with fewer resources.

Meeting sustainability and health goals

Governments can’t meet their Paris climate agreement targets without building a more alternative food system. Plant-based, fermentation-made, and cultivated meat address some of the major systemic causes of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Alternative proteins are made in clean environments and do not require antibiotic use in production – helping preserve them for human medicine. Their production also reduces zoonotic disease risks, bolstering food security and helping tackle the leading causes of pandemics.

Transforming meat production will help governments to achieve their health and sustainability ambitions without relying on individual diet change.

Driving a strong economy

Research by Systemiq suggests that, with the right support and investment, alternative proteins could contribute €111 billion to the EU economy each year by 2040, comparable to the GDP contribution of Europe’s wine sector, as well as supporting 414,000 jobs – 16% which would be in arable agriculture.

When the full value chain is accounted for, the total market opportunity could reach €79 billion, comparable to Lithuania’s GDP in 2024.

Europe has the scientific expertise and business leadership to become a world-leader in this field, but risks being left behind without public investment in R&D.

Just as they fund renewable energy development, the EU and national governments must support open-access research into alternative proteins to maximise their societal benefits and create highly skilled jobs.

Creating affordable, tasty, nutritious choices

Today’s food system can’t keep up with growing global demand for meat.

Plant-based, fermentation-made and cultivated meat expand the options available and deliver the foods people enjoy today – but produced in better ways.

We support evidence-based regulation so that more foods come to market safely and properly labelled, helping consumers to make sustainable choices.

A stack of papers on a table — Image: Lisa via Pexels

Explore our resources

Access research and resources produced or commissioned by GFI Europe, and learn about the policy of protein diversification in Europe.

Explore our outputs by region, language, topic, and alternative protein pillar.

Learn more

Our submissions to policymakers

GFI Europe makes public submissions to policymakers to share our expertise on alternative protein policy.

See all policy submissions

07/10/2025

Food biotechnology regulatory sandboxes are an important enabler of EU innovation and competitiveness

06/19/2025

Feedback to the European Commission’s public consultation on the EU Biotech Act

European Commission

02/09/2024

Il divieto italiano di meat-sounding per le alternative vegetali alla carne

Our EU and national-level work

Alternative proteins in the European Union

Your guide to business, science and policy of plant-based and cultivated meat in the EU.

Alternative Proteine in Deutschland

Wissenswertes zum deutschen Markt für pflanzenbasierte und kultivierte Fleisch-, Fisch-, Eier- und Milchprodukte und für nachhaltige Lebensmittel auf Basis von Fermentation.

Proteínas alternativas en España

España tiene un gran potencial para convertirse en un referente del sur de Europa en esta innovación clave para un sistema alimentario más competitivo, más sostenible y más seguro.

Proteine alternative in Italia

L’Italia, patria del buon cibo e della dieta mediterranea, si distingue anche nel campo delle proteine alternative.

Healthy vibrant plant-based spread made with mycoprotein. Courtesy: Quorn

Alternative proteins in the UK

With world-class scientific institutions, innovative food producers and a progressive policy and regulatory environment, the UK is emerging as a…

EIT Food Protein Diversification Think Tank

GFI Europe is a founding member of EIT Food’s Protein Diversification Think Tank and our Senior Policy Manager Acacia Smith is currently Vice-President. Established in 2022, the think tank comprises a diverse range of stakeholders with the common mission of making protein diversification mainstream in Europe. As a neutral, independent body it engages all food-system stakeholders in structured discussion to identify gaps, barriers, and opportunities. It also co-creates evidence-based roadmaps and policy recommendations to drive food systems transformation.

Learn more