Blueprint for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods
30 June 2025
Proposed measures to unlock the full potential of the plant-based sector
In January 2025, 130+ organisations called on the European Commission to propose an Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026, as recommended by the Strategic Dialogue.
Such a plan should take a comprehensive food system approach, addressing the entire agri-food value chain, from production and processing, to retail, public procurement and consumer availability and affordability.
Despite numerous success stories and clear potential for innovation in plantbased products and production, the sector remains underdeveloped, with immature plant-based value chains. Unlocking its full potential and harvesting all the benefits will require coordinated efforts to boost production and consumption.
An Action Plan should therefore include measures that drive stable, long-term demand for plant-based foods while ensuring that farmers can benefit from emerging market opportunities. It should stimulate regional supply and assist in building sectoral bridges to mature and strengthen the plant-based value chains. It should also aim to create a level playing field between agricultural products, while giving priority support to farmers particularly younger producers eager to invest in plant-based and organic production.
This document lays out key opportunities and pathways for the EU to strengthen the plant-based foods value chain, measures that can assist in building a healthier, more sustainable, fair, competitive, self sufficient and resilient food system for all.
In some cases, policy changes alone can drive the needed food system transformation. Some measures, however, will require additional funding. This means that an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods should be accompanied by a comprehensive and robust funding plan to ensure its implementation.
Given the strategic role that plant-based foods play in strengthening the EU’s food security, funding the EU Action Plan should be prioritised as part of the EU Compass and the future MFF. We also call on the Commission and Member States to mobilise funding from within and outside the framework of existing regulatory budgets. Nevertheless, public funding alone will not be sufficient to unlock the full potential of the plant-based sector, so private investment should be encouraged and facilitated, notably through programmes such as InvestEU.
Overall, increasing the consumption and production of plant-based foods is part of the solution to many challenges the EU agri-food sector faces, including health, biodiversity, climate and food security - in line with the EU’s One Health approach. At the same time, innovating and investing in plant-based foods could position the EU as a global leader in competitive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems and provide opportunities for European farmers, businesses and SMEs.
Categories: NGO Statements, Meat consumption
