EU Farmers Tell Brussels Diversification Into Plant Crops Needs Real Policy Backing

Farmers from across the European Union called on policymakers to strengthen support for agricultural diversification, particularly into plant-based production, at a cross-party event held at the European Parliament on June 24.

The session, titled “Grown in the EU: What Farmers Need to Make Diversification Work,” was co-hosted by MEPs Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (EPP), Barry Cowen (Renew), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA) and Per Clausen (The Left). It was organised by the civil society coalition for an EU Plant-Based Action Plan, a group of more than 20 organisations established in late 2024 to push for a dedicated EU framework on plant foods.

Growing Resilience report sets out the case

The event coincided with the release of the Growing Resilience report, which documents 33 cases of producers diversifying into plant-based production. Examples include an Austrian farmer who moved into tofu production, a Dutch farmer who diversified into soy products, and an Irish farmer growing pulses.

According to the report, 66.7% of farmers who diversified production reported a positive impact on their quality of life. The data also points to a generational angle: while the average age of an EU farmer is 57, more than half of the producers featured in the report are under 40, suggesting diversification could be a route to attracting younger entrants into the sector.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen delivered the keynote, signalling Commission backing for the agenda. “We need to support farmers who are making EU agriculture more resilient through diversity. The next CAP, the CMO and the soon to be published Protein Plan will support this process. The political direction is clear,” he said.

Irish farmer Ailbhe Gerrard, one of the panellists, set out the case from a producer perspective. “I am being more productive by being more diverse. We still need more support from policymakers to protect, encourage, and support a shift in farming,” she said.

Policy asks centre on the next CAP

The report outlines several recommendations. These include investment support for on-farm processing under the next Common Agricultural Policy, prioritisation of local and sustainable food in public procurement alongside expanded access for small producers, reforms to origin labelling and VAT rules for plant-based foods, and EU funding for consumer education and chef training.

The coalition has been advocating for an EU-level framework since more than 130 organisations wrote to Commissioner Hansen in early 2025, calling for an Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods by 2026. Denmark’s national plant-based action plan, launched in 2023, remains the reference point for proponents of an EU-wide approach.

Paul Savage closed the event on behalf of the incoming Irish Presidency of the Council. “What struck me today was the optimistic tone of the contributions, and in particular the link that was highlighted between diversification and generational renewal in farming. (…) From a Presidency perspective, Ireland’s focus will be on helping the Council to agree on the right balance between the commonality of the CAP and the subsidiarity required for Member States to decide how they respond to these and other challenges.”