Academics from Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Europe's top agricultural institution, have called for an urgent acceleration of the protein transition in their annual Mansholt Lecture. The lecture highlighted the pressing need to shift from animal-based to plant-based and animal-free proteins as a cornerstone for building a sustainable European food system.
The lecture, accompanied by an 80-page report titled "Key Dilemmas on Future Land Use for Agriculture, Forestry, and Nature in the EU," detailed the complex challenges of reconciling food production with environmental preservation. WUR experts say adopting plant-based diets is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, at the same time supporting global nutrition needs.
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Named after Sicco Mansholt, a Dutch European politician and an early advocate for sustainable agriculture, the Mansholt Lecture series is a forum for sharing research informing EU agricultural and environmental policy. This year’s lecture stressed embracing a more diverse array of sustainable protein sources, such as legumes and aquatic crops, is essential to meet the growing demand for nutritious and affordable food.
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The report outlined five critical land-use dilemmas facing the EU: balancing food production with nature conservation, prioritising sustainable protein development, allocating land for renewable energy, adopting climate-friendly agricultural practices, and ensuring economic viability for farmers. By addressing these challenges, WUR hopes to guide stakeholders toward policies that create a "Safe and Just Operating Space" for all.
WUR’s ongoing research, including partnerships with companies like Unilever and IFF, seeks to overcome technical hurdles in plant-based food production, such as flavour enhancement and protein functionality. These collaborative efforts are crucial in making plant-based options more appealing to consumers while fostering a sustainable agricultural future.
For more information about the Mansholt Lecture CLICK HERE.
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