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'EU support for protein-rich crops'
The European Union wants to become more self-sufficient in vegetable protein. A good starting point that does require long-term support for cultivation and breeding, says Jan Huitema, Member of the European Parliament.
"It is important that we do not depend on imports from countries outside the EU for food and therefore also protein. It is our first necessity of life. Moreover, closing cycles is important, also on a global scale. If we - for example via the import of soy - importing more nutrients than we export does not close the cycle. In addition, European legislation must be amended so that we can make more use of the organic fertilizers that we already have in the EU, such as animal manure."
New cap
"The pursuit of greater self-sufficiency in vegetable protein will be reflected in the renewed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the near future. I see two movements in this regard: first of all, the cultivation of protein-rich crops - in the Netherlands especially field beans - get an impulse through an extra hectare premium for these crops. And rightly so, because cultivation must be profitable for the farmer, especially because there are risks involved. A second policy move is that farmers can collect points by working more sustainably on their farms. This can be compared with systems such as Planet Proof that we already know in our country. The more points, the higher the premium you receive. More protein-rich crops yield more points; you can also think of alfalfa or grass-clover mixtures."
Long-term
"In my opinion, an important point of attention in the EU's protein strategy should be that it provides clarity for the long term. If we really want this, we will have to invest heavily, for a longer period. Because at the moment the cultivation of protein-rich EU crops often do not yet compete with cheaper soy on the world market. We have to reckon with this reality, especially now that international trade agreements offer less and less certainty."
"We can strengthen the competitive position of protein cultivation in the EU. An important part of this is that we are developing increasingly better varieties. Compare it with the cultivation of silage maize in the Netherlands, which was small 30 years ago and has grown enormously: thanks to better varieties with higher yields and more harvest security. Something like that is necessary if we want to become more self-sufficient in protein."
"Breeding is a long-term business and therefore requires major investments. The EU will therefore have to look primarily at the long term when promoting protein crops. So that farmers can have profitable cultivation via hectare support and points for sustainability. And breeders are offered certainty. that their investments in new varieties will be profitable."
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