EU

Cattle in a farming land in the Netherlands

© Hans-stock.adobe.com
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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Gourmey applies to sell cultivated meat in the EU

© GOURMEY and Romain Buisson
Cultivated Meat

Gourmey Becomes First Company to Apply to Sell Cultivated Meat in the EU

Gourmey, a French startup producing cultivated foie gras, has become the first company to apply for regulatory approval to sell cultivated meat in the European Union. The startup has also submitted applications in Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Before it goes on the market, the cultivated foie gras will need to be approved by the European Commission. Authorisation will be governed by the Novel Foods Regulation, said to be one of the most robust food safety frameworks in the world. The process is likely to take at least 18 months, and will include a thorough assessment of the safety and nutritional value of cultivated meat. The potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of the product will also be considered, with input from member …

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mosa-meat-steak-tartare

Cultivated Steak Tartare ©Mosa Meat
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Hungarian Council Presidency Tells EU That Novel Foods Are a Threat to European Food Traditions

The Hungarian Council Presidency has invited EU agriculture ministers to discuss the impact of novel foods such as cultivated meat and plant-based foods on European food traditions. According to Euractiv, the presidency sent a note to EU delegations saying that meat and dairy consumption is an important part of the “European way of life”, implying that plant-based or cultivated alternatives could pose a threat to European culture. The note also claimed that many Europeans are not enthusiastic about novel foods, despite increases in plant-based food consumption. The subject will be discussed by ministers over lunch at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting next week. It comes amid a controversial start to Hungary’s turn at holding the EU council presidency, which rotates every six months. With …

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microbial protein Formo cheese sandwich

© Formo
Studies & Numbers

Study Finds Consumers Less Likely to Buy Fermented Plant-Based Foods When CHEAPER Than Animal Counterparts

A study conducted by the EU-funded HealthFerm project has come to a surprising conclusion — making fermented plant-based foods cheaper than animal products could actually make consumers less likely to buy them. Study participants preferred fermented meat and dairy alternatives to be priced at parity with their animal-based counterparts, likely due to the perception that cheaper products are of lower quality. For example, 52.8% of respondents said they would buy a fermented milk alternative that was priced the same as dairy milk, but only 46.3% would buy a product that was cheaper than dairy. Just 9.6% would be willing to pay more for a plant-based alternative. The same pattern was observed for meat alternatives, though there was only a 1.2% difference in willingness to purchase …

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RisingFoodStars Programme Lead Narjis Chakir

RisingFoodStars Programme Lead Narjis Chakir. Image supplied.
Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

RisingFoodStars Reveals Cohort of 14 Scaleups Addressing European Food Sustainability

EIT Food RisingFoodStars, a non-profit organisation funded by the EU and the agri-food tech community, has revealed the 14 scaleups selected for the latest cohort of its three-year program. RisingFoodStars aims to solve environmental and social challenges such as reducing net emissions by 90% by 2040, halving food waste, achieving food self-sufficiency, and improving the availability of healthy, nutritious foods. Selected startups have access to a network of over 50 investors and 160 industry leaders, along with workshops, coaching, and mentorship. The new cohort features: SeedForward GmbH — a German startup substituting synthetic agrochemicals with biobased alternatives, with an emphasis on seed treatments, biostimulants, and plant protection. The aim is to facilitate the transition towards regenerative agriculture. Notpla — a UK-based sustainable packaging producer that …

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a plate with a steak takes center stage, representing the connection between meat consumption and environmental degradation Generative AI

©catalin-stock.adobe.com
Sustainability / Environment

Meat and Dairy Lobbyists Are Using Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics to Stall Climate Policies

New reports by independent think tank InfluenceMap and The Union of Concerned Scientists have found that meat and dairy lobbyists are weakening climate policies in the EU and the US respectively. The InfluenceMap analysis finds that the European meat and dairy industry is mirroring the tactics of the fossil fuel industry through strategic narrative building and detailed policy engagement. Both sectors have used public messaging to promote misleading narratives, sowing doubt about the necessity of curbing emissions. This is despite the fact that meat and dairy are estimated to be responsible for 85% of Europe’s agricultural emissions. According to InfluenceMap, these tactics have significantly impacted EU climate policymaking; a third of policies included in the report have been seriously weakened and half have stalled altogether …

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Oatly and Patagonia mobilise EU citizens to Voat for the Planet

Image: Oatly
Politics & Law

Oatly & Patagonia Mobilise EU Citizens to Vote for the Planet

Oatly has partnered with outdoor clothing brand Patagonia to mobilise EU citizens to vote in a way that benefits the planet in the upcoming European Parliament elections. The move comes as research indicates that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at twice the global rate. The two companies are granting their combined 1000 EU employees — including factory teams, retail staff, regional employees, and more — time off to cast their votes. Educational programs are also being organised to encourage employees to talk about voting within their own networks. Additionally, both businesses are calling for stronger environmental protections, and for the EU to deliver on its green commitments in the next mandate. They are also working to engage their communities across Europe regarding …

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ALEHOOP produces proteins from seaweed and legume byproducts

© ALEHOOP
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

European Project Uses Biorefineries to Extract Proteins From Seaweed & Legume Byproducts

ALEHOOP, a European project funded by Sustainable Bio-Based Europe, has successfully used pilot-scale biorefineries to recover sustainable proteins from macroalgae (seaweed) and legume byproducts. The recovered proteins could be used to produce high-value food and feed products, including meat alternatives, snacks, and sports drinks. The project has conducted numerous safety tests to ensure that the proteins address any regulatory requirements and market barriers. Consistently high-quality Seaweed is a highly sustainable protein source as it requires no additional land or freshwater to grow and can benefit marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, legume processing generates byproducts such as seed coats, hulls, broken seeds, and leaves, which would normally be discarded; proteins made from these byproducts therefore have a very low carbon footprint. One challenge faced by the ALEHOOP project …

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Europa-Flagge im Wind

© Henner Damke - stock.adobe.com
Politics & Law

EU Election Guide Finds High Levels of Support for Plant-Based Policies After Surveying 50+ Political Parties

With European elections scheduled to take place from June 6-9, The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) has surveyed over 50 political parties across Europe to determine their stance on plant-based policies. Said to be the largest survey of its kind, the results have been published in a document titled Plant-Based Politics: The 2024 EU Election Guide. Europarties and national political parties from several EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, and Spain) were given a questionnaire based on the policy recommendations made in the EVU’s Plant-Based Manifesto. The survey included questions about financial incentives, health and environmental issues, subsidies, and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Overall, the results indicate that political support for the EVU’s suggested policies is high. The most popular policy involves …

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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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Studies & Numbers

Europe’s 60% Reliance on Animal Proteins Challenged in New EU Alt Protein Research

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has released a new study evaluating the potential of algae, insects, microbial fermentation, and cultivated meat to improve food security and reduce the environmental impacts of food production within the EU.  However, to make the case for the growing interest in these alternative proteins, the report explains Europe’s current protein balance. According to the authors, plant-based protein intake in the wider world accounts for 57% of total protein consumption. However, in Europe, animal protein still makes up the majority, somewhere between 55 and 60% — exceeding plant-based protein consumption since the 1970s and the recommended daily intake by about a third. Moreover, with this impressive demand for meat, the region faces a deficit in local feed production, importing 61% of …

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Two brown cows/ cattle

© Mosa Meat
Sustainability / Environment

EU Climate Advisers Recommend Shifting Subsidies Away From Animal Ag & Encouraging Plant-Based Diets

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change has released a report outlining several recommendations for addressing the climate crisis, including shifting subsidies away from animal agriculture. The authors say that the common agricultural policy (CAP) “should be better aligned with EU goals”. This could include “shifting CAP support away from emission-intensive agricultural practices, including livestock production”, instead prioritising lower-emissions products and other environmental policies. Furthermore, the report recommends measures to “encourage healthier, more plant-based diets”, along with other strategies to aid the transition towards a climate-neutral food system. For example, emissions pricing should be extended to the agricultural and food sectors, making high-emission foods more expensive and therefore discouraging their purchase. Other agricultural recommendations include a standalone emissions reduction objective and practices that reduce …

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Soy bean, tofu and other soy products

Image supplied by ADM
Agriculture / Agribusiness

Europe: ADM Announces First Traceable Soybean Shipments from US and Broadens Regenerative Agriculture Initiative 

ADM (NYSE: ADM) has announced the successful shipment of traceable soybeans from the US to Europe. The expansion comes in anticipation of new EU regulations that will take effect at the end of the year, prohibiting imports of soybeans from deforested land, says the company. ADM’s first traceable soybean pilot program delivered 2.4 million bushels (64,000 metric tons) of soybeans in 2023. This successful yield has prompted ADM to expand these capabilities to other key locations across North America for the 2024 growing season.  Last year, the agricultural processing giant acquired Prairie Pulse Inc., a locally operated pulse crop processor in Saskatchewan, Canada , that purchases directly from farmers. The traceable soybean program is an extension of ADM’s International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified bean …

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MeliBio and Narayan Foods launch vegan honey at ALDI-owned Hofer stores

© Hofer
Company News

MeliBio and Narayan Foods to Launch Vegan Honey at ALDI-Owned Hofer Stores Through Private Label Deal

MeliBio, a US-based producer of vegan honey, has partnered with organic food producer Narayan Foods to launch bee-free honey at ALDI-owned Hofer stores in Europe. The private-label deal will see the plant-based honey sold under the name Vegan Hanny as part of Hofer’s Just Veg! brand. The product will initially roll out in Austria and Switzerland from this month, before expanding into other European countries. The agreement between MeliBio and Narayan is valued at more than $10 million over four years. The two companies first partnered in 2022 to launch the bee-free honey at 75,000 European retail stores under the name Better Foodie Vegan H*ney; this collaboration is still underway, with the Vegan H*ney set to roll out at UK stores this month. “Innovation, quality …

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Cultured Foods burger

© Cultured Foods
Investments & Acquisitions

CV Sciences Expands into European Plant-Based Food Market with Acquisition of Cultured Foods

American consumer wellness brand CV Sciences has officially publicized the purchase of Cultured Foods, a European manufacturer and distributor of vegan food products. This strategic move allows CV Sciences to tap into the plant-based food market and aims to establish a foothold in the European market for its flagship brand, PlusCBD. With a presence across 15 European countries, Cultured Foods produces a diverse range of plant-based offerings, including vEGGs egg alternatives, meat-free burger mixes, stew and gravy mixes, ground meat substitutes, and plant-based cheese mixes. With the acquisition, the company aims to introduce Cultured Foods vegan products to the United States while simultaneously creating a platform for the sale and distribution of PlusCBD products throughout Europe. Strategic expansion and diversification The purchase of Cultured Foods …

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© AGRANA
Ingredients

AGRANA Starch Ingredients: Optimize the Texture and Protein Content in Your Plant-Based Product

Are you developing a new plant-based product, or are you planning to? Then the following keywords are certainly familiar to you: “meat-like texture”; “protein content”; “methyl cellulose-free”; “clean label”; and even “rich in fibre”. Product development of plant-based meat alternatives can be challenging: We want to meet the demands regarding texture and structure. It is important to find a valuable plant-based protein source. Surely, we want to meet consumer demands for “clean label”, organic, GMO-free, gluten-free or soy-free, etc. AGRANA Starch is your partner for natural ingredients and the ideal complement for your plant-based product. The carefully selected raw materials of AGRANA Starch are corn, potatoes, and wheat. We produce starch products for the food industry as well as for other industrial sectors from these …

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Vegan protein sources- EIT Food calls for innovative policymaking on protein diversification to address the challenges of the food system Challenges

© Elena Schweitzer - stock.adobe.com
Studies & Numbers

Think Tank Calls for Innovative Policymaking on Protein Diversification to Address EU Food System Challenges

A new policy brief by the food innovation community EIT Food, Accelerating Protein Diversification for Europe, argues that innovative policymaking is key to unlocking protein diversification to transform Europe’s food system. To feed a growing population and minimize the adverse effects of animal agriculture on the environment and human health, new policy strategies should prioritise protein diversification, including plant and algae-based, cultivated, fermented, and insect-based alternatives, states the paper. The policy brief, developed by Think Tank EIT Food Protein Diversification in consultation with experts and stakeholders across the sector provides policy recommendations for decision-makers to accelerate a change for sustainable proteins in the region. “This collaborative effort confirms the important role of EU governments in driving change — from R&I funding, to enabling policy frameworks, to support for …

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Oatly's call for Big Dairy execs to join debate receives just one response

© Mossgiel Organic Farm
Sustainability / Environment

Oatly’s Call for Big Dairy Execs to Join Climate Labelling Debate Receives Just One Response

As part of its campaign calling for climate labelling on all food and drink products in the UK, Oatly recently hosted a debate where it invited a “Big Dairy Executive” to explain their stance on the subject. Despite the spot being open to dairy executives from across the EU, and the 26 million views received by Oatly’s campaign launch video on social media, the company received just one response from the dairy industry — and it wasn’t from an executive. Bryce Cunningham is a farmer from Mossgiel Organic Farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, who told the Daily Record that he “felt that Oatly’s claims were unjustified”. Mossgiel is working to reduce its carbon emissions, with the aim of reaching net zero by December 2025. The farm …

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European Parliament votes to increase plant protein production and consumption

Image: Pixabay
Politics & Law

European Parliament Votes to Boost Plant Protein Production & Consumption

The European Parliament has voted in favour of a strategy that aims to increase plant protein production and consumption within the EU. Based on an own-initiative report adopted last month, the European Protein Strategy emphasises the importance of high-protein crops to improve food security and sustainability. The report was drawn up in response to the European Commission’s food security communication last year, and though it is non-binding, it still has the potential to influence the Commission. MEPs voted in favour of the strategy by 305 to 109, with 69 abstaining. Those who support the strategy are calling for dedicated plant protein funds, along with schemes to promote the growth of legumes and diversify the types of protein produced. Additionally, they suggest more R&D into plant-based …

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PBWE Europe

© PBWE Europe
Fairs & Events

PBWE Europe Reveals Plant-Based 2.0 Trends, Highlights The UK’s Long-Term Growth

Ahead of the upcoming event and its return to London next month, Plant Based World Expo Europe (PBWE Europe), the largest 100% plant-based trade event in the region, provides insights on the present and future of the sector and unveils its predictions on food trends for what it calls the plant-based 2.0 industry. PBWE Europe says it projects long-term growth for the UK’s plant-based food industry, with the market growing by 9.58% and London being “officially” the most vegan-friendly city in the world, according to the organisers. The UK’s growth is framed under the global plant-based food market, expected to reach $115.3 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 16.5%. Mirroring the market, PPBWE Europe says it is also experiencing growth and preparing …

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Mushroom packaging ©Ecovative
Materials

Ecovative Opens Access to Patent for Plastic-Free Mycelium-Based Materials

Ecovative, a US developer of sustainable mycelium-based technologies, has announced that it is opening access to a European patent for its plastic-free MycoComposite™ materials. All individuals and businesses in Europe can now use the materials in their innovations, providing a sustainable alternative to plastics and environmentally damaging chemicals. The patent outlines a blueprint for the creation of mycelium composites, which have the potential to cut carbon emissions across multiple industries. According to Ecovative, the patent is already in use worldwide in industries such as packaging, construction materials, architecture, and more. Interest in entrepreneurial applications of MycoComposite is reportedly increasing sharply in Europe, and Ecovative hopes to test the potential of open-access patents to spur innovation in mycelium technologies. “Picks and shovels” The news comes a …

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