Solving a problem that didn’t exist: how plant-based label bans confuse consumers
When the French government introduced in 2021 a decree that prohibited the use of “meaty” denominations for plant-based foods, the rationale it presented to justify the new law largely rested on the notion of consumer confusion. Calling plant-based products by familiar names like “burger,” “steak,” or “sausage” misleads shoppers into thinking they’re buying animal-based products […]
Victory for consumer choice and transparency: ECJ rules Member State “veggie burger bans” not allowed
Brussels – 04/11/2024 In a decision to have profound repercussions on the crucial issue of food labelling for plant-based products across Europe, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) today stated that the French government’s attempt to ban meaty names for plant-based foods is not allowed unless very specific conditions are met. The case, first brought […]
Draghi report overlooks potential of Europe’s agri-food sector
The much-anticipated report by Mario Draghi – former European Central Bank President – titled ‘’The future of European competitiveness’’ was published on 9 September. Presented to the European Commission, it looks at the difficulties Europe’s competitive industry is facing while calling for an unprecedented boost to private and public investment across the bloc. The findings […]
EVU’s Annual General Meeting takes place in Berlin
On 2 September 2024, the European Vegetarian Union held its Annual General Meeting in Berlin. The meeting, attended by the EVU’s members, looked at the activities report over the last year, the EVU vision for the next year, and included an interactive policy-focused workshop. The General Meeting also saw important elections for a 2-year mandate, […]
EVU welcomes proposal for an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods by 2026
PRESS RELEASE EVU welcomes proposal for an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods by 2026 Brussels, 4 September 2024 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today presented the conclusions from the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture. The report includes a series of joint recommendations, agreed unanimously by some 29 organisations, including farming […]
Why sustainability should be in every dietary guideline
Recent updates to national dietary guidelines across Europe reveal a growing shift in how governments approach food consumption. Countries like Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Norway have started recommending reduced meat consumption and increased intake of plant-based foods. Importantly, a number of these countries – although not all – are also integrating sustainability and […]
How the debate on food security and tradition is distorted to promote meat production
On 15 July 2024, and at Budapest’s initiative, EU agriculture ministers were invited to discuss the need to protect Europe’s culinary traditions from novel and innovative foods – that is, plant-based foods and cultivated meat. In light of the pressing issues facing our food systems, the importance and topic of this meeting were both deeply […]
EVU’s Open Letter calls on AGRI Committee members to work for sustainable food systems
The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) was formally constituted, and its Chair and Vice-Chairs elected on 23/07/2024. The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) has published an open letter to the Committee members, calling them to work towards supporting sustainable food systems. Open Letter to the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and […]
EVU calls on Ursula von der Leyen to uphold Green Deal and Farm2Fork
With 401 votes in favour, Ursula von der Leyen has just been re-elected as President of the European Commission. The European Vegetarian Union ( EVU) has sent her a congratulations letter calling for the uphold of the Green Deal and Farm2Fork Strategy. The latter was absent from her political guidelines for the mandate, presented this […]
Hungarian Presidency risks agricultural sustainability and competitiveness by going against plant-based foods
The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) has expressed concern at recent developments regarding the agenda put forward by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 15/07/2024. In particular, the tabled discussion on the supposed impact of plant-based foods on “Europe’s culinary traditions”. The EVU urges ministers to consider the […]
