EU needs plant plan as part of food vision

More than 130 NGOs have called on the European Commission to develop an action plan for plant-based foods as part of its vision for the future of food.

Such a plan will help the EU deliver on its climate and environmental targets, while improving health, profitability and resilience, according to organisations including ProVeg International, Changing Markets Foundation and European Public Health Alliance.

In an open letter, the group said current policies and efforts are not sufficient to bring about the shift to a more sustainable and efficient food production system, nor to ensure healthy, sustainable and balanced diets are the easy or affordable choice for European consumers.

They said new policies are needed to increase plant-based production and consumption and that a plan should cover a range of foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, edible fungi, tofu and tempeh, as well as healthy plant-based alternatives to animal-sourced products.

Such an action plan should be accompanied by appropriate funding that boosts the production and consumption of plant-based foods, with a focus on organic and agroecological products, the letter stated.

The call for a dedicated action plan follows the conclusion of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture which referenced a shift to healthy sustainable diets as one of its key recommendations.

By the end of February, the European Commission is due to publish its vision for agriculture and food in which it will lay out plans for the future food system in the bloc.


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