MEPs will call on the European Commission to urgently present a comprehensive EU protein strategy “that introduces effective measures to increase European protein production in the short, medium and long term”.
That is according to the draft report by Emma Wiesner (Renew Europe, Swedish), dated 7 March, on a European protein strategy. The draft report is expected to be adopted in May by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture. The European Parliament plenary vote is scheduled for July.
The EU has produced large amounts of protein - it grows 77% of the protein used for animal feed. However, the block is deficient in protein-rich plants: 29% of the protein-rich feed needed to balance livestock rations comes from the EU.
At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have had “dramatic effects on world trade and have made it clear that the EU needs to diversify its food supply chains”, the rapporteur explains.
The draft report recognises the importance of feed additives for potential emission reductions and protein digestion, feeding strategies and feed reformulation, and highlights that it will be impossible to increase plant-based protein production without quality plant material.
The European Commission is invited to propose medium and long-term policy measures to close the nutrient loop, for example by allowing the use of ‘RENURE’ fertilisers.
Innovations. One controversial aspect of the draft report concerns cellular meat. The rapporteur believes that innovative cell-based foods “can help increase protein production and complement agriculture”. Furthermore, according to Emma Wiesner, insects should be considered as “alternative sources of protein, particularly in animal nutrition”.
Link to the draft report: https://aeur.eu/f/5pj (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)