On Friday, 20 February 2026, Animal Advocacy & Food Transition in collaboration with the Cyprus University of Technology and Danish Plant-Based Diplomacy organised a high-level event titled “Strengthening Europe’s Plant-Based Future: Insights from Denmark and Pathways for Cyprus and the EU” at the Leventis Gallery in Nicosia. The event was under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus.
The event brought together policymakers, researchers, investors, farmers, entrepreneurs and civil society to discuss the development of an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, drawing inspiration from Denmark’s pioneering national strategy, as highlighted during the discussion by Louise Johannsen (Vegetarian Society of Denmark).
Europe’s food system is under pressure, from climate instability, geopolitical shocks, resource scarcity and rising public health costs. The question is no longer whether change is needed, it is whether Europe will lead that change, or endure it – a framing echoed by Professor Dimitris Tsaltas (Cyprus University of Technology) in his opening remarks.
Protein diversification is no longer optional
Across interventions and debates, one point became unavoidable: protein diversification is a strategic necessity.
Heavy reliance on resource-intensive production systems exposes Europe to climate risk, supply chain volatility, feed price shocks and antimicrobial resistance. Investors are already pricing these risks in, as noted by Dana Wilson (FAIRR Initiative). Financial modelling increasingly shows that without diversification breeders face mounting long-term vulnerabilities.
Diversifying protein sources is therefore not ideological, it is risk management, particularly from an investment and financial stability perspective.
At EU level, the 2024 Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture recommended the development of a European Action Plan for plant-based foods. In June 2025, a broad coalition of organisations supported a Blueprint outlining how such a plan could strengthen value chains, support farmers and unlock innovation, as presented during the event by Olga Kikou.
The debate in Nicosia made clear that the intellectual groundwork is done; what is now required is political will.
The Danish lesson: policy works when it is holistic
Denmark offers proof that this transition can be organised rather than improvised.
In a video message, Jacob Jensen, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark, reiterated Denmark’s commitment to its 2023 Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, a strategy that addresses the entire value chain, from farm to fork. It combines research funding, farmer support, innovation incentives, public procurement reform and export strategy.
Crucially, Denmark avoided a culture war. The approach was “both-and,” not “either-or.” Plant-based production is being actively scaled through extra support, not replacing existing food policy but adding on them. Balance was repeatedly highlighted as key to success by Danish stakeholders. The lesson is that confrontation freezes transition, when cooperation accelerates it.
Anders Klöcker from the Danish Agriculture & Food Council made demonstrated that balanced supply and demand, stable public funding and regulatory clarity create the confidence farmers and investors need. Without market development, farmers will not diversify. Without policy predictability, capital will not flow. Trust from farmers depends on realistic market creation and public procurement must be oriented to provide stable demand on plant-based goods. Driving consumer behaviour through a greener diet” framing is essential to maintaining broad societal support together with a shift in production.
Cyprus: from cultural heritage to competitive advantage
For Cyprus, the discussion was particularly strategic. The country faces structural constraints: water scarcity, climate exposure, heavy import dependence. Andreas Gregoriou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture clearly underlined that diversification was not a lifestyle choice but a resilience strategy for the future.
Yet, Cyprus also holds a competitive advantage: the Mediterranean diet. Legumes, grains, vegetables and olive-based cuisine are not innovations here but a tradition, a point explained by Dimitris Taliotis, olive grower at Aparthenasa. The challenge is not to import models as a whole, but to modernise and scale what already exists up.
Reinvesting in legumes and plant proteins improves soil health, reduces environmental pressure and opens new value chains. Linking this heritage with research, digitalisation and market development can transform cultural capital into economic opportunity, as highlighted by Professor George Gadanakis (Cyprus University of Technology).
If properly supported, Mediterranean plant-forward production could become a pillar of both food security and competitiveness.
Markets will move but need support
Investment in alternative proteins has grown rapidly in Europe, but scaling remains fragile. Without clear EU-level policy frameworks, regulatory clarity, infrastructure support, innovation funding, businesses may relocate to jurisdictions offering stronger signals.
Food systems are now inseparable from strategic autonomy. Diversified production reduces vulnerability to external shocks. Stronger local value chains strengthen resilience. Europe cannot simultaneously call for competitiveness, resilience and autonomy while neglecting one of the most immediate levers available: how it produces protein.
From dialogue to policy
The Nicosia event did not revolve around ideology. It revolved around governance and political will.
Farmers need viable business models. Entrepreneurs need predictable frameworks. Investors need stability. Dr Louiza Sophocleous (The Mighty Kitchen) made it clear: consumers need affordability, taste and accessibility. Researchers and policy makers ought to find pathways to translate knowledge into practice.
What emerged from the debate is a pragmatic but ambitious consensus:
- Diversification is strategic
- Cooperation outperforms confrontation
- Public funding must de-risk transition
- Mediterranean heritage is an asset
- An EU Action Plan is the logical next step to move forward and change scale
The transition toward more plant-forward food systems is already underway across Europe. The choice now is whether the EU will shape it deliberately, or allow fragmentation and delay to define it.
In Nicosia, the direction was clear: Europe’s plant-based future is not about restriction. It is about resilience, innovation and strategic foresight for a locally grounded, EU-wide policy.
Check the media coverage of the event here:
The Brussels Time, https://www.brusselstimes.com/1990569/plant-based-food-gains-traction-in-the-eu