Opinion: Food, farming and our future – why Europe must lead the way

As an illustration, the industrial animal-based food production and consumption are estimated to have cost €3 trillion in the EU in 2022. This toll includes rising healthcare expenses, environmental degradation, climate change and subsidies that sustain an unsustainable system. Our diets are not just a personal choice, they are a collective crisis. Europe’s food system is putting an immense pressure on our planet, from tropical deforestation, air and water pollution, to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, our current diets are major contributors to disease in the EU. Medical doctors witness the consequences of Europeans eating too little whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables every day. Diet-related cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are on the rise. And while public health campaigns urge Europeans to eat more plants, subsidies and market structures inadequately support plant-based foods and make them less accessible and affordable than they should be.

The current system is not just failing our planet and its people – it’s failing Europe’s farmers. Small-scale livestock farmers are increasingly squeezed out by industrial competitors. The status quo favors mass production over quality and sustainability, leaving little room for those who want to innovate or diversify. The evidence is crystal clear. Europe’s food system urgently needs a refresh and the costs on our economies, our health and our planet are unbearable.

But all is not lost yet. A fresh EU vision on agriculture and food is being crafted, and the opportunity is there for the taking. There is a clear path to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system – and EU policy makers have a chance to tackle our multiple crises by championing plant-based foods in the years to come. The question is, will they seize it?

Time for change

The solution is not radical, it’s pragmatic. Shifting toward plant-centered diets has the potential to save 43% of the above-mentioned costs, adding up to €1.3 trillion annually. Moreover, it would reduce Europe’s dependence on imported animal feed, free up land for nature restoration, and create opportunities for farmers to transition to diversified, sustainable practices.

This shift is not an attack on livestock farmers. On the contrary, it’s their best chance at a sustainable future. By reducing overall meat consumption and focusing on quality over quantity, Europe can support smaller-scale, territorially distributed or circular livestock systems that are economically and ecologically viable. Diversification – guided by organic and other sustainable practices – could help both plant and animal farmers in strengthening their position in the value chain.

Last year, a forum convened by the EU Commission, including farmers, rural communities, agri-food businesses, NGOs, financial institutions, and academic experts made a clear recommendation: Europe needs an action plan for plant-based foods. In January, this call was echoed by 130 groups representing farmers, health professionals, consumers, animal welfare, climate and environmental interests. Yet, in Commissioner Hansen’s hearing last November, he questioned the need for such a plan, saying, “Europe should not decide who should eat what.”

But Europe is already deciding. 80% of agricultural subsidies flow to livestock production, shaping what’s on our plates every day. The real choice is whether to continue protecting the status quo at all costs – or to have the courage to invest in a path that works for everyone.

A (r)evolution worth fighting for

Plant-based foods have the potential to save millions of lives, millions of euros in national healthcare budgets, and alleviate pressure on our healthcare system and professionals. At the same time, they could drastically benefit our environment and help Europe achieve its Paris Agreement climate goals, which will be a lost cause if we don’t act.

But let’s also consider their impact on Europe’s global standing. Here, the potential is nothing short of revolutionary. Our agricultural sector is not only vulnerable to the changing climate, but also to geopolitical turbulence. Particularly since two-thirds of feed for animal agriculture is currently imported.

Some argue that the rapid expansion of the plant-based food industry signals a global revolution, similar to the rise of electric vehicles. Global powers such as the US and China are scaling up investments, but Europe has everything it takes to lead on this transition – a wealth of innovative research, promising food-tech start-ups and robust agricultural heritage. Embracing plant-based foods could be a game-changer, positioning Europe as a leader in this transition, and strengthening our autonomy and competitiveness.

Following a paved path

An EU Action Plan would support a growing trend across Europe. Countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Germany are already developing and implementing food strategies to promote a shift, increasing the share of plant-based foods in our diets. An EU Action Plan could follow the lead of the Danish Plan which was established last year, aimed at putting plant-based foods on more of an equal footing with animal farming, and opening the door for support for diversification for farmers.

Europe can and must follow their lead. Let’s unite and ask for the development of a comprehensive action plan to support the entire plant-based agri-food chain – from farmer to consumer. The science is clear. A wide range of players is ready to play. Dear Commissioner Hansen, will you come with a good game plan?

By Ariel Brunner – Birdlife Europe
Niklas Oppenrieder – Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN)Silvia Schmidt – IFOAM Organics Europe