Collective pressure works! Horizon Europe, a seven-year funding programme created by the European Union for scientific research and innovation has set forth one of the biggest funding packages, a massive 32 million euros in funding for sustainable plant-based protein research. This came after the Good Food Institute and 21 organizations sent an open letter calling out the European Commission for a lack of investment in alternative options for plant-based protein.
This initiative will attempt to build alternative and sustainable protein food environments (€12 million); create awareness and fill knowledge gaps in regards to nutrition, safety, allergenicity, and environment assessment towards dietary shifts and alternative proteins (€11 million); and develop sustainable crop systems and value systems (€9 million).
According to Acacia Smith, policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, “It’s a strong signal that the EU is betting on sustainable proteins playing an important role in meeting its climate and biodiversity targets.”
This is a huge step towards building sustainable alternatives and further plant-based options in the European Union.
Sources:
- https://vegconomist.com/politics-law/european-commission-reveals-european-green-deal-pledging-%E2%80%8Ee10-billion-for-green-transition-with-a-focus-on-plant-based-protein/
