German Federal Government allocates 38 million Euros from 2024 budget to support plant-based protein development

According to a report by Şebnem Turhan from Ekonomim, the German government has committed to allocating 38 million Euros in its 2024 budget to promote plant-based proteins. This is the first time a government has provided such a large fund to plant-based protein developers. It is truly a significant step. We wish our government would also support Turkish entrepreneurs developing plant-based proteins in the 2024 budget so that we could set an example for the world.

Dr. Zoe Mayer, a member of the Green Party in the German Parliament and a member of the Committee on Food and Agriculture, announced the 38 million Euro fund for the promotion of plant-based proteins and described the allocation of such a significant fund as a crucial moment for promoting alternatives to traditional protein. Jens Tuider, Strategic Director of the global food awareness organization ProVeg International, emphasized that this move by the German government lays the groundwork for a transformative shift in protein consumption and is of great importance.

SUPPORT TO BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS 4 MAIN AREAS

In a statement released by ProVeg, the steps determined by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) for managing the plant protein fund were outlined. Accordingly, there are four steps for the distribution of the fund aimed at plant-based protein diversification, which the ministry has outlined.

Specifically, a significant portion of the fund, namely 8 million Euros, will be allocated to promoting proteins intended directly for human nutrition rather than animal feed. According to Jens Tuider, “This investment represents a critical step forward. Thanks to this decision, proteins will be able to be used effectively in the future.” The largest slice of the fund, 20 million Euros, has been set aside to “help phase out animal husbandry and transition to the production and processing of plant-based, fermented, and cell-cultivated proteins for human consumption.” According to Jens, the importance of the transition aid is that it serves as ‘an important signal to farmers that they are an indispensable and valuable part of the future protein supply.’

10 MILLION EUROS FOR PROMOTING INNOVATIVE METHODS

The remaining 10 million Euros will be directed toward “promoting innovative methods for the production and processing of plant-based, fermented, and cell-cultivated proteins.” Additionally, a stakeholder forum on protein sources for human nutrition as well as a 'competence center' focusing on future proteins will be established. Jens explained the situation as follows: “The competence center will offer an important point of contact for young companies and ensure that Germany remains an attractive location for innovation.”

AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

The German government has taken a step that will set an example for the whole world, opening its coffers to develop plant-based protein by moving support previously seen at the local government level to the central level. We hope this situation will serve as an example for other countries and that we might see such incentives in Turkey as well. Research shows that discrimination against traditional animal-based foods continues in both Europe and the US. A study by Stanford University showed that traditional animal husbandry receives 800 times more subsidies in the US and 1200 times more in the EU compared to plant-based alternatives. The German government's move will contribute to eliminating this discrimination.

News Source: 12punto