What you need to know about the Strategic Dialogue’s latest report
We urgently need to change the way we produce food. Our current methods of agriculture and food production are significant drivers of climate change, land degradation, resource depletion, and waning food security. According to recent data, the global food system is responsible for a third of global emissions,123 with animal-based foods responsible for up to 20% of total human-made greenhouse gas emissions.45
If we leave the food system unaddressed, limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will be impossible, even if fossil fuels were eliminated immediately.6
Change needs to happen from the top down – with support from policymakers and policies that can empower and enable food industry stakeholders to build a more sustainable food system.
On 4 September, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, received the final report of the Strategic Dialog7 on the Future of EU Agriculture: A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe.
After nine months of work, the report depicts the Strategic Dialogue’s mutual understanding and vision for the future of the EU’s farming and food systems.
The Dialogue’s mandate was to reflect on four questions:
- How can we give our farmers, and the rural communities they live in, a better perspective, including a fair standard of living?
- How can we support agriculture within the boundaries of our planet and its ecosystem?
- How can we make better use of the immense opportunities offered by knowledge and technological innovation?
- How can we promote a bright and thriving future for Europe’s food system in a competitive world?
Following an assessment of challenges and opportunities, A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe presents a set of comprehensive political principles and recommendations to guide the transition towards more resilient, sustainable, and competitive agri-food systems. Recognizing the complexity and diversity of the agri-food sector, the Dialog emphasizes the need to address systemic imbalances and prepare for significant societal transformations.
Recommendations from the Strategic Dialog
If you’re an organization working in the plant-based sector, an interested individual, or part of the alternative protein industry, several of the report recommendations will be relevant to your work and – if implemented – will likely affect your future.
It’s crucial to stay one step ahead of impending policy changes and proactively react. If you’re unable to read the entire Strategic Dialog report, we’ve summarized the most critical recommendations below. These suggestions will guide the work of the European Commission when shaping its Vision for Agriculture and Food, to be delivered in the first 100 days of President von der Leyen’s second mandate. These include:
Preparing for a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) fit for purpose:
- Financial support for environmental actions needs to substantially increase annually.
Financing the transition:
- A Temporary Just Transition Fund should be established outside the CAP to support the sector’s sustainability transition.
Empowering consumers:
- The Commission and Member States should adopt policies to create food environments where balanced, sustainable diets are affordable, accessible, and attractive to consumers.
- The EU Commission should explore upgrading the EU school scheme to enhance the transition towards healthier, less resource-intensive diets (less meat, more plants) from childhood.
- Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) should integrate sustainability in addition to health, with strategies to promote consumer uptake of these diets.
Making healthy and sustainable choices easier:
- The European Commission and Member States should adopt demand-side policies to address agri-food systems holistically, creating environments where balanced, less resource-intensive, healthy diets are accessible and affordable.
- A European-wide campaign to raise awareness of healthy, sustainable choices should be launched, with coherence between agri-food promotion policy and other objectives, such as healthy eating and sustainability.
Reviewing food labeling and marketing:
- The European Commission should review and update EU food labeling legislation to ensure it provides trustworthy, comprehensive, science-based information, including on animal welfare, in an accessible format. Digital means could support this initiative.
- The European Commission should evaluate measures related to marketing to children.
Improving public procurement and food banks:
- The European Commission should revise Directive 2014/24/EU on Public Procurement to remove the lowest price criterion for essential services and labour-intensive industries. A ‘best value’ approach, considering quality and sustainability, should be adopted.
- Further actions are needed to improve public procurement frameworks for sustainable food and to enable food banks and non-profits to maximize their roles.
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
- The European Commission and Member States should work on a mix of policies to reduce GHG emissions, combining incentives and regulatory measures, including:
1. Establishing a comprehensive methodology for GHG emissions, accounting and setting goals for different types of agriculture.
2. Creating pathways to boost the implementation of measures and promote investment to achieve emissions reduction goals.
3. Ensuring food remains affordable and accessible to all, with considerations for potential impacts on food affordability, especially for low-income groups.
4. Supporting the implementation of territorial strategies, particularly for problematic regions, using the Agri-Food Just Transition Fund.
Using an Emission Trading System (ETS):
- The Strategic Dialog supports the European Commission’s exploration of Emission Trading Systems for agriculture but calls for further assessments with stakeholders to determine the feasibility of such a system.
Strengthening farmers’ position in the value chain:
- Farmers should be encouraged to join Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs), Producer Organizations (POs), and Associations of Producer Organizations (APOs) to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve market prices.
- Capacity-building for farmers should be encouraged through technology, innovation, skills, data, digital tools, networking, and independent assistance.
- The European Commission should work with farmers to promote best practices, simplify recognition processes, and raise awareness of pooling resources.
Establishing a European Board on Agri-food (EBAF):
- The EU Commission should establish EBAF, a platform for agri-food value chain actors, civil society organizations, and scientists, to develop strategies for making agri-food systems more sustainable and resilient. EBAF should advise the European Commission on sustainability policies, the implementation of strategies, and socio-economic impact assessments related to food systems.
- Civil Dialog Groups (CDGs) should be reformed to foster meaningful dialog, with more workshop-inspired methodologies. Sectoral CDGs should have a consultative role for EBAF, facilitating more technical discussions.
Supporting plant-based foods:
- By 2026, the European Commission should develop an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods to strengthen the entire plant-based agri-food chain.
Increasing investments and partnerships in research and innovation:
- The European Commission and Member States should better leverage existing funds to disseminate skills and support technological advancements. There should be an increase in EU funding for sustainability-focused agri-food technologies through Horizon Europe projects.
Streamlining regulatory procedures:
- Regulatory procedures for new technologies should be streamlined, with the European Commission, Member States, and EFSA working together to identify faster regulatory pathways for sustainable products. Harmonizing standards and certification processes across the EU would reduce market entry barriers for innovative agri-food products and technologies.
Next steps
At ProVeg, we are proud to have contributed to the process of the Strategic Dialog and excited to see our call for rebalancing agri-food systems toward more plant-based options reflected in the recommendations. The proposal for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026 comes at a critical time.
With six of the nine planetary boundaries having already been exceeded, and following slow progress on European environmental goals, coupled with geopolitical pressures on agriculture, bold policies are urgently needed to tackle these challenges.
These recommendations must be translated into concrete policy actions under the Vision for the Future of Agriculture by March 2025. As the need for action and the overall costs of inaction increase, we call on the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, and stakeholders to turn these recommendations into motion.
For more information, read our recent letter to new European Members of Parliament.
Get involved
To support the future of European agriculture – and, by extension, your business, farm, or organization – we provide the following actionable insights, drawn from the Dialogue’s report and its recommendations for the European Commission.
1. Advocate for policy support and financial incentives
- Engage with policymakers to push for increased financial support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and advocate for the creation of a Just Transition Fund to help the sector transition toward sustainability.
- Collaborate with industry associations to lobby for policies that support alternative proteins and sustainable agri-food systems.
2. Collaborate on consumer awareness initiatives
- Partner with public institutions and NGOs to promote healthy, sustainable diets through marketing campaigns. Leverage the upcoming EU-wide awareness campaigns to raise the profile of plant-based foods and alternative proteins.
- Contribute to the development and dissemination of food-based dietary guidelines that incorporate sustainability and promote plant-based options.
3. Leverage sustainable procurement opportunities
- Position your products for inclusion in public procurement processes by aligning with sustainability criteria. Stay informed about the expected revisions to Directive 2014/24/EU, which may prioritize sustainable food over the lowest-cost options.
- Engage with food banks and non-profits to increase your role in addressing food insecurity while showcasing sustainable, plant-based solutions.
4. Innovate with GHG reduction strategies
- Develop or invest in innovative farming or production processes that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in line with upcoming EU GHG reduction policies. Stakeholders who embrace climate-positive innovations may gain a competitive advantage as the EU pushes for reduced agricultural emissions.
- Prepare to align your production with a potential Emission Trading System (ETS) for agriculture by understanding carbon accounting methodologies and emission reduction goals for the sector.
5. Influence and improve food labeling
- Engage in discussions around the revision of EU food labeling legislation. Ensure your product labels communicate sustainability, nutrition, and animal welfare benefits, helping consumers make informed choices.
- Explore the use of digital labeling tools to offer more detailed product information and enhance transparency in your supply chain.
6. Promote best practices through collaboration
- Strengthen partnerships with or join Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs), Producer Organizations (POs), and Associations of Producer Organizations (APOs) to reduce costs and improve market efficiency for sustainable products.
- Collaborate with other food industry stakeholders, scientists, and civil society organizations within platforms like the proposed European Board on Agri-Food (EBAF) to help shape policies and strategies that align with a sustainable and resilient food system.
7. Embrace research, innovation, and technological advancements
- Take advantage of EU funding opportunities under Horizon Europe and other innovation-focused initiatives to advance sustainability in agri-food technology.
- Accelerate research and development (R&D) in alternative food products by advocating for streamlined regulatory pathways and supporting the harmonization of certification standards across the EU to reduce market entry barriers.
8. Prepare for the EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods
- Align your product portfolio with the recommended EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods (expected by 2026). Invest in product development that supports the growing demand for plant-based and hybrid protein products, ensuring your business is at the forefront of this transition (and will benefit from it). Diversify your crop production to include high-protein crops like peas, soy, or other legumes, which are increasingly in demand for plant-based food products.
- Build partnerships along the plant-based food value chain to strengthen your market position and benefit from EU-driven initiatives.
- Collaborate with companies producing plant-based or hybrid protein products to create new revenue streams and future-proof your business against changing market demands.
9. Support sustainable diets from an early age
- Work with schools and public institutions to promote plant-based and sustainable diets. Get involved in the potential upgrade of the EU school scheme, which could enhance the shift toward healthier, sustainable diets for children.
10. Strengthen your position in the value chain
- Build stronger partnerships with processors, retailers, and alternative protein companies. As demand for plant-based and hybrid products grows, farmers who can supply plant-based ingredients may benefit from new market opportunities.
- Promote transparency and traceability in your supply chain to align with the EU’s push for food labeling reform, ensuring that your sustainable practices are recognized by consumers.
By taking these actions, stakeholders across the food industry – from farmers to retailers – can better position themselves to capitalize on upcoming policy changes and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system across Europe.
For more support on your alternative protein strategy, you can get in touch with our experts at [email protected].
References
- Crippa, M., E. Solazzo, D. Guizzardi, et al. (2021): Food systems are responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Nature Food 2(3), 198–209.
- Xu, X., P. Sharma, et al. (2021): Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods. Nature Food 2(9), 724–732.
- Babiker, M., G. Berndes, K. Blok et al. (2022): Cross-sectoral perspectives. In IPCC, 2022: Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [P.R. Shukla, J. Skea, R. Slade, A. Al Khourdajie, R. van Diemen, D. McCollum, M. Pathak, S. Some, P. Vyas, R. Fradera, M. Belkacemi, A. Hasija, G. Lisboa, S. Luz, J. Malley, (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA.
- Xu, X., P. Sharma, et al. (2021): Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods. Nature Food 2(9), 724–732.
- The Breakthrough Institute (2023): Livestock Don’t Contribute 14.5% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Available at: https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/food-agriculture-environment/livestock-dont-contribute-14-5-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions [Accessed: 30.10.2023]
- Clark, M. A., N. G. G. Domingo, et al. (2020): Global food system emissions could preclude achieving the 1.5° and 2°C climate change targets. Science 370(6517), 705–708
- 29 major stakeholders from the European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities, and academia.