On Monday 18 November, several EU agriculture ministers called on the European Commission to put in place an EU plant protein strategy to reduce dependence on imports from third countries.
In a note (https://aeur.eu/f/eba ), Denmark and Germany, supported by the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland and Luxembourg, call for a European strategy on plant proteins (see EUROPE 13525/10).
Cem Özdemir, the German minister, felt that new sources of protein needed to be found and that the profitability of green proteins needed to be improved. The Commission must put in place a coherent strategy at EU level, added Germany, which insisted in particular on increasing protein consumption (13504/16).
Poland supported the need for independence from third-country suppliers. The Polish minister mentioned soya in particular. Slovenia highlighted the usefulness of coupled payments for developing these crops. Belgium supported this strategy.
Slovakia felt that a balance should be struck between crop and livestock production. Animal protein intake must not be reduced, Romania also emphasised. France supported the introduction of such a strategy for plant proteins, while drawing attention to the need not to harm the livestock sector.
Italy, Austria and France have reiterated their opposition to the production of cultured meat.
The European Commission has stated that its forthcoming ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ will be an important step towards revising protein policy. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)