The overall protein balance at EU level relates to multiple distinct policies and regulatory issues: industrial policy, nutrition, food safety, food security, marine development, agriculture, climate and environment, research and development, innovation, intellectual property. Addressing EU needs in this area is a complex challenge. The principle of substitution of one source of protein for another is logically necessary to address EU goals, yet politically sensitive: trade-offs are on the menu. Therefore, a new degree of policy coordination at the EU level is required to achieve a more diverse protein balance that ensures food security while reducing environmental harm.

 

This option aims to increase the suite of coordination tools the EU and Member States can use. In the baseline, there are already several tools in place: the EU Algae Initiative, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and interservice meetings at the European Commission. The option would add to these tools and seek greater integration between them, whether for monitoring purposes or decision-making.

 

Policy cooperation would unfold at three complementary levels:

• Specific initiatives would be developed targeting each alternative protein source. The EU Algae Initiative would serve as a blueprint for parallel efforts on insects, microbial fermentation and cultured meat. Initiatives are suitable for exploring and addressing the wide range of issues (scientific, technical, economic, social) hindering potential development, taking a sector-wide approach. They articulate together multiple interventions that do not require changes to legislation: research projects, guidance and information sharing, funding support, engagement with Member State authorities and industry associations, etc. They evolve as progress is achieved.
• An EU Protein Strategy would benefit from inputs of relevant initiatives and policies, articulated together by a dedicated commission overseeing the strategy’s implementation. All four initiatives mentioned earlier, to the extent they address food and feed dimensions (the EU Algae Initiative addresses other dimensions too), would also reflect the orientations set in the EU Protein Strategy. A common set of metrics (on the contribution of individual sources to the EU’s protein balance, environmental impacts, etc.) would be used to monitor evolutions and assess progress against targets (if/when targets have been set).
• The specific alternative protein initiatives and the EU Protein Strategy would be harmonised and integrated within the overall framework of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. Protein-focused efforts would be tied to a whole system approach to food and feed, one that considers overall nutrition and diet beyond protein intake, and works towards a food system working within planetary boundaries.

 

This option aligns with existing policies and further contributes to policy coherence by driving further integration and coordination. Individual DGs would develop protein specific initiatives. Monitoring of the implementation of the EU Protein Strategy would involve all DGs in scope, as well as JRC, EIT Food (to ensure continuous link to research and industry), and the European Parliament.

 

Views differ among stakeholders on the need for greater coordination in this space. The case for better coordination would need to be made to ensure this option would be politically feasible. An initiative on cultured meat could be opposed by some, although the low key nature of an “initiative” may alleviate the risks of political opposition.

 

Advantages

• High relevance to all protein alternatives
• Provides better governance for current and future policies on alternative proteins
• Ensures protein objectives are pursued as part of a broader approach to the EU food system

 

Disadvantages

• May slow down decision-making by setting a higher coordination requirement

 

Outcomes

It aims to link actions on alternative proteins to a holistic food system approach in the EU.

 

Beneficiaries

It supports all stakeholders by ensuring participation and recognition of the diverse objectives at stake: food security, environmental impacts, nutrition, trade, etc.