Rome, 29 January 2025 – VEGANOK/UNIVEGAN and AssoVegan (the Italian Vegan Association Onlus), as advocates for a more ethical and sustainable food system, have joined a coalition of over 130 organisations across Europe in urging the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, to adopt an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026. Supported by industry associations, NGOs, consumer representatives, environmentalists, and health professionals, the proposal seeks to radically transform Europe’s agri-food system, driving a transition that can no longer be delayed.
A strong and urgent call
The joint letter highlights that Europe is at a critical crossroads. Decisions made in the coming years will shape the future of agriculture and food, with profound implications for public health, the environment, and the economy. The Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods presents a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to steer Europe towards a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system.
Change can no longer wait,” says Sauro Martella, founder of VEGANOK/UNIVEGAN. “Promoting an Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods means giving Europe a concrete strategy to tackle the most pressing environmental and health challenges. This is not just about changing dietary habits—it is a real opportunity to cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 43%, save 130,000 lives annually through healthier diets, and support European farmers in transitioning to more resilient and profitable production models. This plan represents a structured and urgent response for a future where sustainability and ethics are shared cornerstones.”
Renata Balducci, President of AssoVegan, also emphasises the importance of this initiative:
This letter is a collective voice calling for a better future for all. We are not simply talking about food, but about social, environmental, and health justice. Promoting an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods means offering future generations a fair and sustainable food system where ethics, health, and respect for the planet go hand in hand. This is an opportunity to significantly reduce environmental impact, improve people’s quality of life, and end animal suffering. At AssoVegan, we believe that every step towards a more ethical food system is an act of responsibility—towards ourselves and towards the world we will leave to those who come after us. We are proud to be part of this historic change, convinced that only by working together can we build a future based on empathy and sustainability.”
The priorities of the EU Action Plan
The Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, as proposed by the signatory organisations, is built on six key priority areas, highlighting the transformative potential of a more sustainable agri-food supply chain:
- Food autonomy: Promoting the local production of plant-based proteins to reduce the EU’s reliance on imports, strengthening food security, and ensuring stability for local producers.
- Public health: Currently, 80% of Europeans do not consume enough fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This dietary gap leads to 130,000 preventable deaths each year and an estimated healthcare cost of €900 billion. A greater shift towards plant-based diets could significantly improve public health.
(Source: Call for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, January 2025.) - Environmental protection: Plant-based foods require up to four times less land than animal-based products, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43%, and enhance soil quality through the introduction of nitrogen-fixing crops such as peas and beans.
(Source: Call for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, January 2025.) - Cost savings: The external costs associated with animal-based foods amount to €3 trillion annually. A transition to plant-based diets could reduce these costs by 43%, leading to estimated savings of €1.3 trillion per year.
(Source: Call for an EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, January 2025.) - New opportunities for farmers: Protein crops such as legumes and whole grains can increase profit margins for farmers while reducing costs related to chemical fertiliser use and enhancing biodiversity.
- Policy coherence: Aligning European policies with Green Deal objectives by creating a regulatory framework that incentivises the production and consumption of plant-based foods.
A step towards a better future
The joint letter also highlights the success of Denmark’s Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, a model that has already demonstrated how targeted policies can strengthen the entire plant-based supply chain while enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the agri-food sector.
We are not talking about minor adjustments,” adds Sauro Martella. “This plan represents a structural transformation of Europe’s food system. Our commitment at VEGANOK is to continue raising awareness among citizens, businesses, and institutions to accelerate this transition. Now is the time to act.”
Stay updated on future developments
The publication of this joint letter is just the first step in what could be a revolutionary change for Europe’s agri-food system. VEGANOK/UNIVEGAN and AssoVegan will continue to monitor and support this initiative, actively engaging in dialogue with institutions and the wider community.
For all updates and future developments, visit OSSERVATORIOVEGANOK.COM. Stay with us as we work together to build a more ethical, sustainable, and healthy future for Europe.
