The importance of plant-based alternatives in the shift to a more sustainable food production model

8.1.2021

Question for written answer  E-000086/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Sylwia Spurek (Verts/ALE), Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE), Manuela Ripa (Verts/ALE), Eleonora Evi (Verts/ALE), Alexis Georgoulis (The Left)

Parliament recently rejected a number of amendments aimed at limiting the use of meat-related names for plant-based alternatives. It is indispensable to recognise that transitioning from the current food production model to a more sustainable alternative is crucial to tackling climate change, protecting people’s health, and increasing safeguards for consumer rights. A recent Greenpeace report (‘Farming for failure’) enumerated a number of important policy recommendations regarding the shift to more plant-based diets. The Commission also recognised the importance of plant-based alternatives in a special report on the development of plant proteins in the EU published in 2018.

• 1.How is the Commission planning to incentivise farmers to shift from animal to plant-based production?
• 2.Is the Commission planning to introduce policies promoting and supporting, including supporting by financial means, plant-based food production, and if so, how will they be formulated to ensure implementation by all EU countries?
• 3.Where does the Commission stand on meat produced by means of cellular agriculture? Is it going to support such innovations?