EU Protein Plan Locks In Feed Target, Leaves Food Protein Measures Voluntary

The European Commission has released an Action Plan to increase the share of EU-produced protein in animal feed from 25% to 35% by 2035, but lacks a binding target for protein grown for direct human consumption. ProVeg International praised the plan but noted that measures addressing food protein are voluntary for member states to consider, rather than mandatory at the EU level. While the Plan includes incentives for plant protein producers and mentions the Danish Action Plan on Plant-Based Foods as a model, there is no equivalent EU-level plan proposed for food protein.

The non-legislative Communication will be implemented through various policy processes, including post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy negotiations and strengthening of public procurement rules. ProVeg has called for a dedicated EU plant-based food action plan to ensure a diverse, resilient, and competitive protein future. The outcome of upcoming policy processes, like the reserved meat terms proposal, will determine if the Plan's food-side ambitions align with its feed-side targets, according to ProVeg.