EuroCommerce, which represents the retail and wholesale sector in Europe, has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to address livestock and plant proteins together, stating that the bloc’s food security, competitiveness and economic resilience ‘depend on robust and diversified protein value chains’.
EuroCommerce was commenting as the Commission announced plans to strengthen risk management tools, encourage investment in sustainability and digitalisation, improve animal health, and develop harmonised methodologies for measuring farm-level greenhouse gas emissions.
EuroCommerce also welcomed the Commission’s intention to review EU animal welfare legislation. However, it stressed that any new requirements should remain proportionate and practical for farmers while maintaining existing production standards.
‘A strong signal’
“Publishing these initiatives together sends a strong signal that Europe’s future protein system must be built on diversity, innovation and resilience,” commented Christel Delberghe, director general of EuroCommerce. “Protein diversification is about building a broader, stronger and more resilient food system that can respond to changing consumer expectations, environmental pressures and global market developments.”
On plant proteins, meanwhile, EuroCommerce said the Commission’s proposals could help strengthen European value chains while creating opportunities for innovation and business growth.
Retailer response
The group noted that retailers and wholesalers are already expanding the availability of plant-based protein products in response to growing consumer demand and broader sustainability commitments.
“To turn ambition into results, the EU must focus on the right framework conditions: a strong Single Market, regulatory simplification, legal certainty, support for innovation and a clear focus on consumer demand”, Delberghe added.
“A competitive, open, sustainable and consumer-focused food system requires strong livestock and plant-protein value chains. We look forward to working with policymakers and stakeholders to build a more resilient, innovative and diversified European protein economy that benefits farmers, businesses, consumers and rural communities alike.” Read more here.
