On 27 November, the European Parliament’s Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals hosted a dedicated session on the transition toward more sustainable food systems.
AAFT Director Olga Kikou introduced the Blueprint for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, develop by a Taskforce of umbrella NGOs spread across Europe, which outlines concrete measures the EU can take to expand plant-based food production and consumption. The plan proposes actions to improve availability and affordability for consumers, support farmers through diversification tools and finance, attract investors the sector’s economic potential in terms of jobs, innovation and rural development.
The session also featured Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, Vice Chair of the Danish Plant-Based Food Grant, who presented Denmark’s pioneering national action plan accompanied by a dedicated fund. Rune-Christoffer highlighted Denmark’s investment model in plant-based innovation, strengthening farmer support, updating dietary guidelines, and integrating plant-based goals across government. This model can be adapted by other EU countries to suit national contexts.
The event underscored the need for deeper engagement by policy makers in an open discussion on the role of plant-based policies in generating economic benefits and meeting climate, health, food-security and animal-welfare objectives. Strong coordinated EU action is needed to champion this initiative. The EU is well positioned to seize this opportunity and lead the transition globally.
For AAFT, the meeting marked an important milestone in raising the profile of plant-based food system transformation on the EU political agenda. The Blueprint offers a practical policy roadmap, and Taskforce NGOs will continue working with policy makers to support its adoption and implementation.