Danish Presidency puts sustainable diets on the EU’s plate
On 1st July, Denmark assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Amongst its broad work programme, it outlined plans to focus on an EU Protein Strategy and an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods – highlighting the role of diversified protein sources in creating a more sustainable food system.
Having put a strong emphasis on sustainability in its own national food policy, the Danish presidency is well placed to bring these issues to the fore during its six-month term. However, forging a consensus on food policy at EU level – particularly when it touches on the controversial topic of consumer diets – is likely to prove politically challenging.
Towards an EU Protein Strategy: Boosting self-sufficiency and innovation
In recent years, civil society, MEPs and Member States have increasingly urged the EU to address protein diversification, noting the bloc’s dependence on imported protein for animal feed and human food. Promoting more plant-based protein sources is considered to be beneficial for both public health and the environment, while also strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy in food production. However, it remains to be seen exactly what concrete measures the Protein Strategy could include.
In September 2023, the European Parliament’s AGRI Committee adopted a report calling on the European Commission to present an ambitious EU Protein Strategy, focusing on two key areas: increasing domestic production of plant-based proteins, and promoting the development of alternative protein sources.
The report suggested that farmers should be supported to increase production of protein for food and feed by scaling up incentives, such as through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). MEPs pointed out that feeding farm animals with locally produced proteins promotes short supply chains and therefore helps to reduce emissions. They also emphasised the importance of developing alternative proteins – such as through fermentation, algae, and insects to reduce the risk of supply shocks.
Nevertheless, parliamentarians stopped short of endorsing cell-based food – such as lab-grown meat – citing concerns over ethical and social implications, as well as consumer interests and acceptance. Additionally, MEPs were keen to emphasise that they see a complementary role for both plant-based and animal proteins in the food system.
The plant-based push
In September 2024, participants in the ‘Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture’ called on the European Commission to develop an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods to strengthen the plant-based agri-food chains – from farmers all the way to consumers.
The high-level forum, launched in response to widespread farmers’ protests over rising costs, regulatory pressures, and the perceived lack of support for the farming sector, brought together stakeholders from across the agri-food chain, including farmers, businesses, NGOs and consumer groups, to discuss the future of EU farming and food systems.
While the Protein Strategy is expected to focus more broadly on increasing the EU’s self-sufficiency in all types of protein for food and feed, the Action Plan would concentrate more specifically on plant-based foods in human diets and the development of their value chains.
While the Strategic Dialogue participants had called on the Commission to develop the Action Plan by 2026, the Commission omitted this initiative from its 2025 work programme, casting doubt over its delivery timeline.
Denmark launched its own strategy for plant-based foods in October 2023, introducing new farming and food innovation subsidies and encouraging citizens to cut back on meat consumption. The country would like to see a similar initiative at EU level – but it will no doubt be swimming against the political tide.
Political pushback on plant-based diets
Efforts to promote plant-based diets at EU level are complicated by diverging national attitudes and perceptions that such initiatives amount to excessive interference in citizens’ dietary choices.
During a European Parliament hearing ahead of his appointment as Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen emphasised that the EU should not impose top-down measures on what people should eat.
One of his early priorities has been the launch of a new EU Livestock Workstream – signalling a focus on traditional agriculture, rather than positioning himself as a leading advocate for the plant-based agenda.
Many EU Member States are also opposed to promoting plant-based diets. On 18th June, 12 Member States, including France, Italy and Spain, signed a letter calling on the European Commission to protect the names of food of animal origin, arguing that the increasing number of plant-based products labelled using traditional meat names was misleading consumers. This could be interpreted less as a legitimate concern for consumer protection and more as a reaction against the growing availability of plant-based products.
While the European Commission previously championed a shift towards plant-based diets as part of its green agenda in the 2020 Farm to Fork Strategy, it seems likely to promote a more balanced approach following the backlash from various Member States, MEPs, and the meat industry.
Alternative proteins and the politics of novel foods
The outlook for alternative proteins is also challenging. Some of these, such as lab-grown meat, would be classified as ‘novel foods’ – meaning that they were not widely consumed in the EU before May 1997 – and therefore require a safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before they can be marketed.
However, there are concerns that EFSA’s lengthy authorisation procedures will lead innovative companies to launch their products elsewhere. Moreover, even if EFSA grants a positive safety assessment, the ultimate decision on product authorisation rests with the European Commission and Member States – who must weigh broader political, ethical, and consumer acceptance issues – which are likely to fuel significant debate and potentially further delay market entry for such products.
In other news, work continues on a new Biotech Act, expected later this year, which was initially set to ease market access for novel foods. However, the EU’s new Life Sciences Strategy, published on 2nd July, mentions the Act but no longer refers to novel food approvals. Lead MEP on this file, Hildegard Bentele, observed that the issue is politically sensitive and may be deliberately avoided by the Commission.
This cautious approach could come at a cost. By becoming entangled in culture wars over food labelling and failing to reform its complex and lengthy novel food authorisation process, the EU risks falling behind other global regions in food innovation. The UK, for instance, has recently taken a significant step forward by launching a regulatory sandbox for cell-cultivated products. This controlled environment permits companies to test innovative food technologies under the supervision of regulators – enabling real-world trials while working to ensure safety and compliance. Without similar efforts at the EU level, innovators may increasingly look elsewhere to develop and scale their technologies.
Positioning your voice in the EU protein debate
With the Danish Presidency shining a light on plant-based and alternative proteins, and the EU entering a new phase in its food policy discussions, this is a critical moment for agri-food stakeholders to engage on the development of protein policies.
While political sensitivities around diets and food innovation remain high, the coming months offer a valuable window to shape the EU’s evolving approach to protein diversification and sustainable food systems.
At Whitehouse Communications, we help organisations across the agri-food sector navigate EU policymaking – providing strategic insights, intel and advocacy to ensure your voice is heard in the debate on sustainable protein and food innovation.
To discuss what the Protein Strategy or Plant-Based Food Action Plan could mean for your organisation, or to receive tailored guidance on engaging with the EU’s evolving agri-food policy, do get in touch with our team.
