Report from the European Parliament on current state and future prospects of protein production in the EU
Policy recommendations outlined in the European Parliament’s report and the Protein Diversification Think Tank Policy Brief on Accelerating Protein Diversification for Europe share key insights.
The EIT Protein Diversification Think Tank welcomes the European Parliament's recent report assessing the current state and future prospects of protein production in the EU and across the world by 2050.
The report examines conventional and diversified proteins i.e. plant-based, algae, fermentation-made, cultivated and insects, as sources of both food and feed. They are assessed and compared in terms of relative energy needs, environmental impacts, nutritional content, and potential for substituting conventional proteins. The report concludes with a series of recommendations regarding further research and policies which would provide a much-needed boost to the accelerated adoption of diverse sources of proteins in the EU. The challenges to the food system and the environment identified in the document align with the analyses of the Think Tank.
Among points raised by the report is the fact that the EU is a net importer of proteins. Demand for them is growing, with animal sources constituting a major proportion of Europeans’ dietary intake at around 55-60%. Most of the world relies on plant-based proteins, which make up 57% of total protein consumption. By 2050 conventional protein consumption is expected to increase globally by 57% for meat and 48 % for dairy, assuming economies and incomes continue to grow.
The Think Tank has also addressed these projections and their implications on climate change, already impacting food and protein production worldwide, urging for a commitment to diversifying the EU’s proteins, as outlined in our 2023 Policy Brief on Accelerating Protein Diversification for Europe.
According to the Parliamentary report, the wider uptake of alternative proteins sources raises social, economic and ethical issues, including implications for farmer livelihoods, rural development, biodiversity and consumer acceptance. However, as these aspects are not the main focus of the study, they are discussed only where relevant. The Think Tank, in adopting a food systems thinking approach, has identified farmers and their perspectives as central to the success of the shift towards diversified sources of protein. Think Tank members are currently focusing on areas where additional research and support are needed to understand the intersection of farming and protein diversification. This knowledge is vital for developing a framework and accompanying mechanisms to support the adoption of diverse sources of protein.
Policy recommendations outlined in the Think Tank policy brief and the European Parliament’s report share some key insights. Enhancing research and development efforts, promoting innovation and collaboration, encouraging investment in infrastructure, and improving coordination across policies and stakeholders are instrumental to fostering an environment conducive to protein diversification.