On 19 October 2023 the Strasbourg Assembly adopted a new resolution on the ‘European Protein Strategy’. (1) A late document, as the legislature is now coming to an end, yet worthy of attention. The Old Continent is still far from the objectives of independence in the production of the proteins necessary for its agri-food and livestock supply chains. It is therefore necessary to dedicate specific policies, economic resources and regulatory reforms to this objective.
Consideration is given to all available sources of protein – in the plant, animal and fungal kingdoms – and the need to promote research and innovation on various fronts. Optimize primary agricultural production and transformation, in a logic of sustainable development and circular economy, to satisfy internal demand. Also through the ‘upcycling’ of waste and by-products, so as to reduce ‘food loss’ and ‘food waste’ to a minimum.
1) European Protein strategy, what’s new
‘A European strategy for the promotion of protein crops‘ (2018), the previous resolution on the topic, was focused on the production of proteins obtained from legumes (eg soya) or other plant sources, to be promoted also through the ‘Common Agriculture Policy’. (2) The new ‘European Protein Strategy’ stands out in two main aspects:
– the inclusion of a wide variety of traditional and innovative protein sources of plant and animal origin. In view of the increasingly clear and ambitious objective of achieving self-sufficiency in the production of proteins for ‘food and feed’ use,
– the request to the European Commission to adopt specific ‘policy actions’ aimed at increasing the availability of proteins, also through the simplification of the Novel Food Regulation (EU) No 2015/2283.
2) Vegetable proteins
Dependence on third countries is still significant, as far as vegetable proteins are concerned, where soy remains in the lead. The European Parliament calls for encouraging internal production and the differentiation of producers and suppliers, to overcome the conditions of monopoly or oligopoly which continue, in the EU and globally. (3)
Cultivation of plants for protein use and the maintenance of meadows for grazing use can satisfy the food needs of farm animals more efficiently, but also contribute to the better maintenance of the soil and reduce agricultural inputs (eg fertilizers, pesticides), to the benefit of the environment and sustainability as a whole. Even through extensive production, especially in marginal areas.
Hemp is finally recognized as a source of sustainable protein with high potential. (4) The outgoing Parliament asks the Commission to propose a regulation aimed at harmonizing the requirements for cultivation and processing for food and feed use. Together with it, it is necessary to encourage aiming for species and varieties of plants suited to the environmental and pedomorphological characteristics of the country of cultivation. (5)
3) Proteins of animal origin
The role of proteins of animal origin in human nutrition cannot be overlooked, as highlighted by the FAO (2023). (6) Dependence on third country sectors is still prevalent for fishery products and aquaculture (approximately 60%). And their consumption continues to decrease, despite their essential contribution to the supply of proteins of high biological value and Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. (7)
Land animals, especially ruminants, are able to valorise certain plant production (and related residues) which are not suitable for human consumption, and act as bioconverters to obtain high quality proteins for food use. A simplification of the authorization of new feed additives, which has been requested, can help increase the availability of products to enhance protein digestion, and limit methane and ammonia emissions into the environment.
4) New proteins, novel foods
Algae and microalgae, mycoproteins, insects and fermentation proteins are the sources with the highest potential for obtaining proteins and other substances for food and feed use, in a logic of circular economy and full valorisation of agri-food systems.
The production of proteins from these sources is hindered by the Novel Food Regulation (EU) No 2015/2283, the application of which remains burdensome and problematic also due to the systematic delays in the publication of the scientific opinions of EFSA (European Food Safety Authority).
The MEPs they then allege the unsuitability of the ‘novel food’ regulation to regulate ‘cell culture’ food products – although approved by the European Parliament itself, by a large majority – due to the ethical (read, pre-electoral), economic, social and environmental which would also involve consumers.
A review of the regulation ‘Novel Foods’ is in any case considered necessary to simplify procedures and shorten times, without sacrificing the safety of authorized products. As highlighted by ‘Horizon4Proteins’ – the group of European consortia dedicated to research on ‘novel proteins’, in which #ProFuture and our Wiise team participate – it is also necessary to facilitate access to the ‘novel foods’ authorization procedure for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), innovative startups and research institutions, today forced to often bear disproportionate economic burdens. (8)
5) Upcycling of by-products and waste
By-products and waste (biowaste) of the agri-food supply chains must be considered – in a logic of upcycling and circular economy – as possible sources of proteins and other nutrients for ‘food and feed’ use. The fish supply chain has a high potential which is being expressed, among other things, in the #EcoeFISHent research project in which our Wiise pure team participates (9,10).
Alternative fertilizers synthetic ones can in turn be made from by-products and waste from different supply chains. And it is important to promote their use, introducing alternative products including biowaste and food waste, nitrogen from digestate, and that recovered from manure (RENURE). It will therefore be useful to classify ‘fertilizer substitutes’.
6) Support for farmers and breeders
Farmers and ranchers (including fisheries and aquaculture) are at the center of the protein strategy, as they are essential to achieving the objectives of protein independence. Their choices on crops and livestock, agronomic and livestock practices, are necessary both to obtain enough protein and to create innovative products.
Production capabilities of these supply chain protagonists also depend on the training and economic support of which the European Parliament notes the lack. Therefore underlining the need to draw on the contributions offered by the CAP (or CAP, Common Agriculture Policy) and the OCM (or CMO, Common Market Organization) and on synergies with research bodies.
7) Attention to the consumer
Customers appear increasingly attentive to the information reported on the label, especially with regards to the integrity and sustainability of food systems. The outgoing Parliament therefore invites the Commission to propose a European label for voluntary application, to certify environmental sustainability. (11)
The protein sources they must also satisfy consumer needs regarding flavour, texture, nutritional value and price. For this reason, in addition to aspects related to primary production, it is necessary to stimulate support also for the transformation industries, to create products capable of satisfying market requirements.
8) Research and innovation
Research and innovation are identified as necessary, to increase the production of protein sources but also to make production systems sustainable. The various European research programs – i.e. Horizon, Life, EIT Food – will have to include, in future ‘work programs’, incentives to promote the impact of innovation in the ‘food and feed’ sectors.
Research projects they must be oriented towards innovative cultivation techniques (i.e. precision agriculture, robotics) but also towards the mitigation of risks and adversities, such as pathogens and weeds. The document indicates some examples – eg low-risk pesticides, antagonistic insects – without however recalling two fundamental elements:
– the FAO decalogue (2019) on agroecology, identified as the way forward for the ecological transition of agri-food systems, (12),
– the high potential of ‘food cultures’ to control and mitigate the risks of microbiological contamination of foodstuffs and foods. (13)
9) Environmental and nutritional Life Cycle Assessment, n-LCA
Environmental and nutritional Life Cycle Assessment (n-LCA) is a model, referred to in the ‘European Policy Strategy’, which aims to identify trade-offs between the potential for environmental degradation and adequate nutritional supply. FAO has proposed an n-LCA analysis method, as well as ‘best practices’ and recommendations for its execution. This approach can allow for accurate assessment of as many essential nutrients as possible, considering the nutritional quality and impacts on human health and the environment of their sources and modes of production. (14)
10) Provisional conclusions
The protein strategy adopted by the European Parliament is very ambitious, substantially in line with the proclamations contained in various Commission strategies – i.e. ‘Green Deal’ and ‘Farm to Fork’ – whose implementation has however been partial.
All protein sources of plant origin are considered suitable to contribute to increasing the production of proteins for feed use in the EU, according to the ‘EU feed protein balance sheet’. (15,16) The contribution of animal proteins to human nutrition requires a more accurate focus, to constitute a ‘food protein balance sheet’ dedicated to foods.
Times they are also very tight, in view of the next European elections. Even more so considering that the Commission takes on average six months to respond to the resolutions of the Strasbourg Assembly.
‘European Protein Strategy’, ad maiora.
Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna
Footnotes
(1) European protein strategy – European Parliament resolution of 19 October 2023 European protein strategy (2023/2015(INI)). https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0375_EN.pdf
(2) A European strategy for the promotion of protein crops – European Parliament resolution of 17 April 2018 on a European strategy for the promotion of protein crops – encouraging the production of protein and leguminous plants in the European agriculture sector (2017/2116(INI )). https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2018-0095_EN.pdf
(3) See the paragraph ‘The cereal business’ in the previous article by Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. Greedflation, the super profits of corporations and supermarkets in the UK with the excuse of inflation. 17.3.23
(4) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Hemp flour, nutrition and health. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 27.9.2020
(5) Roberta Seclì. World legumes day, allies of nutrition and environmental sustainability. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 10.2.2023
(6) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. Foods of animal origin necessary for nutrition and health, FAO report. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 8.5.2023
(7) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Omega-3 and cardiovascular disease prevention. Mayo Clinic Meta-Analysis. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 3.2.2021
(8) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Horizon4Proteins. Protein research compared with EU policies and rules. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 21.5.2023
(9) Dario Dongo, Alessandra Mei. Aquaculture, reduction and upcycling of fish waste in proteins, Omega-3 and micronutrients. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.6.2023
(10) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. EcoeFISHent, upcycling and blue economy in the fish supply chain. The EU research project. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 18.10.2021
(11) It would be enough to follow the French example, on the environmental label with the Planet-score and on the nutritional label with the NutriScore. See the previous article by Marta Strinati. Environmental labeling, the Planet-score debuts in France. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 17.11.2021
(12) Dario Dongo, Camilla Fincardi. Agroecology, SDGs, salvation. The FAO Decalogue. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 12.4.2020
(13) Dario Dongo. Natural preservatives at risk of legal barriers, short circuit in the EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.10.2023
(14) McLaren S. et al. (2021). Integration of environment and nutrition in life cycle assessment of food items: opportunities and challenges. FAO, ISBN 978-92-5-135532-9, https://doi.org/10.4060/cb8054en
(15) Weindl, Isabelle & Ost, Mario & Wiedmer, Petra & Schreiner, Monika & Neugart, Susanne & Klopsch, Rebecca & Kuehnhold, Holger & Kloas, Werner & Henkel, Ina & Schlüter, Oliver & Bußler, Sara & Kimura, Sonoko & Ma, Hua & Grune, Tilman & Rolinski, Susanne & Klaus, Susanne. (2020). Sustainable food protein supply reconciling human and ecosystem health: A Leibniz Position. Global Food Security. 25. 100367. 10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100367.
(16) Oilseeds and protein crops. European Commission, Agriculture and Rural Development https://tinyurl.com/mpcjw4m9
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in Food Technologies and Biotechnologies, qualified food technologist, he follows the research and development area. With particular regard to European research projects (in Horizon 2020, PRIMA) where the FARE division of WIISE Srl, a benefit company, participates.
