MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere affirms confidence that the upcoming review will incorporate effective actions benefiting consumers, industry, and the environment.
In recent years, the popularity of plant-based diets has surged across Europe, bringing not only health benefits to individuals but also contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Over the past few years, it’s evident that restaurants, cafes, and retailers have substantially expanded their plant-based offerings in response to the growing number of Europeans identifying as flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan. Beyond these specific groups, many consumers are choosing to consume less meat for various reasons, including concerns for animal welfare, personal health improvement, climate change mitigation, and financial savings.
Alessandro Tschirkov, representing leading health and wellness company Herbalife, notes, “Changes in eating habits are essentially personal choices, but the cumulative impact of those individual decisions has the potential to be enormously important to Europe as a whole.”
Data underscores Tschirkov’s viewpoint, indicating that the shift towards plant-based diets can play a pivotal role in providing a broader spectrum of environmental benefits to Europe.
Approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions arise from the food chain, and studies suggest that Europe’s meat and dairy production emits more greenhouse gases than all the bloc’s cars and vans combined. As the EU strives to meet its binding net-zero target by 2050, agricultural and food production adjustments are imperative components of the solution.
MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere emphasizes the necessity for action to support consumer choice and fulfill Europe’s net-zero aspirations. He states, “A balanced diet is key not only for people’s health but also for the planet’s biodiversity as it can help to reduce our emission footprint.”
Backing producers aiding consumers in reducing meat consumption is a powerful policy tool. Beef production emits nearly 50kg of CO2 per 100g of protein, while pulses generate less than a kilogram. Additionally, plant-based proteins require fewer resources. For instance, beef production demands five times the amount of water and ten times the amount of land compared to plant-based alternatives.
Tschirkov advocates for changes that cultivate an environment encouraging investment and innovation in plant-based food production. This, he believes, is crucial for Europe to attract investments from businesses spearheading plant-based alternatives that are increasingly significant in European diets.
Anticipated policy changes include the review of the European Commission’s Protein Strategy, an opportunity to emphasize measures supporting plant protein production in the EU. Industry leaders like Herbalife propose that these measures extend beyond animal feed production, recognizing the growing importance of plant proteins in European diets. They also call for adjustments to VAT regimes for plant-based food products to ensure affordability for more households.
MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere affirms confidence that the upcoming review will incorporate effective actions benefiting consumers, industry, and the environment. He emphasizes the need to involve farmers and the entire food value chain, aligning with circular economy principles.
Achieving these goals necessitates active engagement from the agricultural sector, investment in research, and campaigns to enhance understanding of plant-based food systems. Close collaboration between leading businesses, regulators, and scientists is also vital in co-creating solutions that deliver health and environmental benefits.
While progress is underway, Tschirkov emphasizes the need for policies to move swiftly to align with rapidly evolving consumer habits. He asserts, “Policy is already playing catch-up with consumers but now needs to get ahead of that curve.”
As consumers seek meat alternatives, Europe stands poised to nurture an industry that meets their needs. With concerted efforts from industry and the European Commission, this could spell very positive news for both consumers and the environment.