A fundamental transformation of the ways that we produce and consume food in Europe is urgently needed. From environmental degradation and food waste to rising levels of obesity and shrinking generational renewal within the farming sector, the EU’s food system is far from sustainable. Because excessive consumption of industrial animal-based products is at the heart of many of these challenges, a transformation of these consumption and production patterns is clearly needed.
“We urgently need positive and comprehensive policies to support the growth in demand for plant-based products, particularly products that are alternatives to animal-based ones. The plant-based sector is attracting more and more consumers, while current European regulations are slowing down the process. With this Smart Protein Policy Brief, we want to emphasise the fact that regulatory and policy reforms are needed if the EU wants to achieve its goal of making European food systems healthier and more sustainable.”
JULIETTE TRONCHON
SENIOR POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AT PROVEG INTERNATIONAL
The Smart Protein project, together with a number of the Horizon4Proteins projects has published another policy brief outlining five actions that should be implemented to ensure meaningful development of the EU alternative proteins sector in this regard.
An online Policy Roundtable event was held on the 17th May 2023 to facilitate discussion between researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders working in this area: Unlocking the potential of alternative proteins in the EU: a Horizon4Proteins Policy Roundtable.