European Commission

La Vie Bacon UK packaging

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Politics & Law

New European Commission Proposal Aims to Ban Plant-Based Products From Using Certain “Meaty” Terms

A new proposal from the European Commission aims to prevent plant-based products from using 29 “meaty” terms, including “beef”, “pork”, and “chicken”. It is claimed that introducing these restrictions will enhance transparency regarding the composition and nutritional content of food. However, the proposal has already attracted backlash from some plant-based organisations, who cite research showing that the majority of consumers do not disapprove of the use of meat-like terms for plant-based products. Some have argued that the restrictions have been proposed due to lobbying by the meat industry, which is worried about losing market share to plant-based alternatives. “The flavor and shape of foods clearly recognisable as plant-based provide important guidance for the curious,” said Felix Hnat, chairman of the Vegan Society Austria. “Why should …

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precision fermentation

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Investments & Finance

European Commission Commits €350M to Strengthen Alternative Protein Production with Fermentation

The European Commission has launched a strategy aimed at positioning the EU as a global leader in life sciences by 2030, focusing on harnessing the potential of biotechnology, digital innovation, and sustainability. As part of this strategy, the Commission is setting aside €350 million in funding to support food and agricultural innovations, particularly in the areas of fermentation technologies. Fermentation technologies, such as biomass and precision fermentation, are central to the EU’s approach to sustainable food production. Biomass fermentation, which can transform agricultural byproducts into food products, has the potential to reduce waste and create ingredients that mimic meat, while precision fermentation is being used to produce proteins and sustainable alternatives like chocolate compounds and palm oil. Lea Seyfarth, Policy Officer at GFI Europe, welcomed …

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Cattle in a farming land in the Netherlands

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Sustainability / Environment

Planned EU Farming Reforms Criticised for Weakening Environmental Regulations

New reforms proposed by the European Commission to reduce bureaucracy for farmers have been criticised due to their potential to weaken environmental regulations. As reported by POLITICO, the reforms would reduce environmental controls on the disbursement of funds under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while exempting smallholders from some checks and increasing the cap on subsidy payments to small farms. Farmers must currently comply with land requirements known as GAECs to access certain subsidies, but the new policies would provide more flexibility in how they implement the rules. For example, the amount of grassland that can be lost would be increased from 5 to 10% compared to 2018, allowing farmers to increase production but negatively impacting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The reforms would also change …

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Politics & Law

European Commission Commits to Developing a Protein Diversification Plan

Earlier this year, European Parliament members Anna Strolenberg and Sigrid Friis wrote a letter to Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen, calling on him to develop an EU strategy on protein diversification. The letter was supported by a broad coalition of MEPs from across the political spectrum. The MEPs urged the European Commission to develop a comprehensive strategy to support alternative proteins, including targeted support to help farmers and value chain actors scale up protein crop production. They also called for strengthened investments in innovation, positioning the EU as a global leader in sustainable protein development. Now, Strolenberg and Friis have received a response from Hansen, indicating that the Commission commits to developing a comprehensive plan to tackle Europe’s protein challenges. The plan will reportedly take a …

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The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has released a study that highlights Europe's animal-based protein balance and argues for the growing interest in alternative proteins. 

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Politics & Law

New EU Agri Commissioner Urged to Prioritise Proposed Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods

ProVeg International has called on the EU Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen, to prioritise the proposed EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods during his term in office. Hansen is set to take over from Poland’s Janusz Wojciechowski if he is confirmed on November 27. Earlier this week, he was interviewed by MEPs about the Action Plan concept, which was presented to the European Commission in September in a report titled Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. The report was the result of seven months of negotiations by organisations including green NGOs, consumer groups, farmers’ unions, and industry actors. It calls for a reduction in the consumption of animal-based proteins and support to make plant-based options more affordable and accessible. Additionally, …

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Cattle in a farming land in the Netherlands

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Politics & Law

EU Approves €700M Dutch Scheme for Voluntary Closure of Livestock Farms

The European Commission has approved a €700 million Dutch State scheme to compensate farmers who voluntarily close livestock farming sites in some regions of the Netherlands. The Dutch government is looking to improve the quality of the environment and promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly production in the livestock sector with this initiative. The scheme will apply to priority areas, including peatlands, sandy soils, stream valleys, and areas in and adjacent to Natura 2000. It will be open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers operating in any eligible areas until the 1st of October, 2029. The aid provided under the scheme will consist of direct grants and subsidized advisory services. It will cover up to 100% of eligible expenses, including compensation for the loss of production …

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Politics & Law

Italian Cultivated Meat Ban Could Be “Unenforceable” Due to Violation of EU Scrutiny Procedure

The European Commission has said that Italy violated an EU scrutiny procedure by banning cultivated meat without allowing other member states or the Commission itself to give their views. The Italian government first proposed the ban in March of last year, citing a lack of studies on the effects of cultivated meat. In October, it was revealed that a draft law proposing the ban had been withdrawn from EU scrutiny, along with another bill to restrict the use of meat-like terms on plant-based product packaging. The controversial bills were then passed by the Italian Chamber of Deputies in November. According to the European Commission, the draft laws should have been subjected to the TRIS procedure, which is intended to prevent national parliaments from passing bills …

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Cows/ cattle

Courtesy of ProVeg International

Sustainability / Environment

Scientists Say Europeans Must Eat “As Little Animal Products as Possible”

Scientists have told the European Commission that people must eat “as little animal products as possible” to combat climate change. Professor Erik Mathijs, chair of the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) Working Group, made the comment following the publication of the group’s new report, Towards Sustainable Food Consumption. The white paper was requested by the Commission to support the revision of its Farm to Fork agri-food strategy. Describing reduced animal product consumption as “the key mitigation option” for climate change, the report calls for policy measures such as taxes or bans on some unsustainable products, and reformulations of others. It also emphasises the benefits of plant-based diets in tackling chronic diseases, obesity, and biodiversity loss. “Crucial solution” The importance of reducing animal …

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