Denmark has just taken the reins of the EU Council Presidency and their official programme brings some much-needed signals for a more ethical and sustainable food system.
The declared priorities: strengthening animal welfare and accelerating the transition to sustainable protein sources – including through the development of a European strategy for plant-based proteins.
After years of timid discussions, protein diversification is finally climbing the political agenda and Denmark seems willing to give it a serious push.
We strongly welcome this shift. A plant-based protein strategy is not just a food trend, it’s a climate tool, a public health necessity and a clear economic opportunity for European farmers.
According to the European Environment Agency, food systems account for over 30% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with animal agriculture driving the bulk of that footprint. Supporting EU-grown plant proteins like legumes and pulses helps reduce dependence on imported soy and creates new markets for farmers aligned with both climate and welfare goals. Diversifying proteins is one of the most impactful ways to cut emissions, reduce deforestation and make food systems more resilient.
But good intentions on paper need political follow-through. It is necessary to set a clear political timeline for an EU plant-based protein strategy, promoting a CAP reform that rewards sustainable protein crops and crop rotations, and ensure that protein transition and animal welfare go hand-in-hand, as two sides of the same transformation.
It’s encouraging to see a presidency that doesn’t shy away from these issues. We hope that Denmark turns ambition into action.