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European Union

EU's Protein Self-Sufficiency: A Multifaceted Approach to Food Security and Climate Action

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union's agricultural sector, heavily reliant on imports of soybeans from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, is seeking to reduce its protein import dependency through increased domestic production. This effort is driven by the desire to shield EU agriculture from price volatility and trade disruptions, as well as to address the substantial greenhouse gas emissions from animal farming. The EU has identified diversifying plant-based protein sources, including microbial, insect, and seaweed proteins, as a key strategy to reduce its protein deficit. Furthermore, increasing efficiency and circularity in food production and consumption can contribute to the EU's protein self-sufficiency and mitigate the environmental footprint of its agri-food sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU's livestock sector is heavily dependent on imports of plant-based proteins, with soybeans being the primary source, mainly from Argentina, Brazil, and the US.
  • The EU aims to reduce its protein import dependency through increased domestic production and diversification of protein sources.
  • Diversifying available protein sources for food and feed can help reduce the EU's deficit, including through the use of microbial, insect, and seaweed proteins.
  • The European Commission is expected to review its protein policy in the first quarter of 2024, considering proposals such as encouraging domestic production of protein-rich crops and increasing efficiency and circularity in food production and consumption.
  • The European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) has prepared a draft report on a European protein strategy, with 716 amendments submitted ahead of the vote.

Statistics:

  • The EU imports approximately 70% of its soybeans from Argentina, Brazil, and the US.
  • The EU's livestock sector accounts for around 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The EU aims to reduce its protein import dependency by at least 50% by the end of 2027.
  • The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has allocated significant funds for the domestic production of protein-rich crops, with over €10 billion allocated for the 2023-2027 period.

Sources:

  • European Parliament.
  • European Commission.
  • European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI).

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