Policy priorities for alternative protein
Plant-based, fermentation-made and cultivated meat offer solutions to major national and global challenges.
As an international nonprofit and think tank working towards a better food system, GFI Europe supports evidence-based policy and public research funding for these alternative proteins.
State of Global Policy report
Read the latest State of Global Policy Report published by GFI to uncover a snapshot of the global policy landscape for alternative proteins. Available in English, Spanish, Italian and French.
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.
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.
A clear regulatory path to market is crucial for consumer confidence in alternative proteins. Learn how GFI Europe supports evidence-based regulation.
Clear labelling helps consumers 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 and cultivated meat address some of the major systemic causes of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Alternative proteins are made in clean environments without exposure to faecal pathogens, and no antibiotics are needed – so these foods help to preserve life-saving antibiotics for human medicine. Their production eliminates zoonotic disease risks, 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
Scaling up the alternative protein sector has the potential to add $1 trillion to the global economy, and countries like Singapore and Israel are already attracting major investment by providing supportive environments for plant-based and cultivated meat companies.
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 choices for consumers
Today’s food system can’t keep up with growing global demand for meat.
Plant-based and cultivated meat expand the options available to consumers 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.
Resources for policymakers
Our submissions to policymakers
GFI Europe makes public submissions to policymakers to share our expertise on alternative protein policy.
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-, Eier-, Milch- und Fischprodukte und für nachhaltige Lebensmittel auf Basis von…
Alternative proteins in the UK
With world-class scientific institutions, innovative food producers and a strong plant-based market, the UK has the potential to be at…
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.
Collaboration
GFI Europe works with allied organisations across the continent, including:
Latest policy news
UK invests £1.4 million in boosting Food Standards Agency precision fermentation expertise
The UK government has invested £1.4 million in a new innovation hub, enabling the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to expand…
FP10 research programme: How Horizon Europe’s successor can unlock food innovation
Policymakers planning to shape the future of European research through FP10 – the successor to the EU’s flagship Horizon Europe…
UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget calls for the development of tastier and more affordable plant-based meat
Nonprofit and think tank the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) has welcomed the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) advice that…
New analysis: Alternative proteins could boost the German economy by up to 65 billion euros and up to 250,000 new jobs by 2045
New analysis from systems change company Systemiq quantifies how protein diversification can drive economic growth, enhance trade, create future-proof jobs,…
Analysis finds UK government has invested £75 million in alternative protein innovation since 2021 National Food Strategy
As Labour prepares to develop a new food strategy, analysis finds that the UK has invested £75 million in developing…
GFI research grants 2025: Meet next generation of European alternative protein innovators
The latest round of Good Food Institute’s (GFI) research funding programme has demonstrated that European researchers continue to lead the…
NAPIC is the latest in an exciting string of UK alternative protein research centres – here’s a whistle-stop tour of the exciting new projects
The UK is fast becoming home to an expanding network of research centres dedicated to advancing plant-based, cultivated meat and…
Four ways the new European Commission can boost EU competitiveness through protein diversification
As the new European Commission takes office, they should consider a missing piece of the policy jigsaw that would help…
Il divieto italiano di meat-sounding per le alternative vegetali alla carne
Il Good Food Institute Europe presenta le sue osservazioni al disegno di legge che vieta la carne coltivata in Italia
Establishing european leadership in protein diversification