Germany and Denmark have called on the EU agricultural ministers for a joint European strategy to accelerate the protein transition that is considered necessary. They received support from countries such as the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
By accelerating the protein transition, food security in Europe could be strengthened, without dependence on imports of protein-rich food products.
An important pillar in the German-Danish plea is to increase the cultivation of vegetable proteins, including soybeans, peas and lentils, the area of which Germany expects to grow significantly by 2030. Especially in the alternative and sustainable food market, there has been an increasing demand for plant-based food and nutrition products in recent years.
The initiative received broad support from several EU countries at the monthly EU Agriculture Council in Brussels, including the Netherlands, where Minister Femke Wiersma (BBB) advocated the inclusion of fish as a protein source. Ireland and Luxembourg, in turn, urged financial support to make the cultivation of protein-rich crops more profitable. Poland advocated expanding soy production as a valuable protein carrier.
Although the proposal was largely welcomed, it also sparked controversy, particularly over the role of lab-grown meat and other innovative protein sources. Hungary and Italy, along with several other countries including France and Spain, expressed concerns about the impact of cultured meat on traditional agriculture and food culture. They demanded that cultured meat be subject to the same strict EU rules as medicines.
The proposal from Germany and Denmark emphasises the need for more domestic production of high-quality, climate-friendly proteins, both for food and feed. “We are faced with the challenge of reducing the climate impact of our food production,” Özdemir said. The plan includes measures such as more research and innovation, diversification of protein sources and better cooperation within value chains.