EU experts discuss plans to increase self-sufficiency in protein production

VALPRO Path project co-ordinator Dr Ewen Mullins from Teagasc said: 'This is not about turning away from animal-based protein. It’s about diversification.'

(Left to right) Amy O’Leary, research officer with Teagasc, Francisco Castro Alves, DG Agri, Maeve Henchion principal research officer with Teagasc and Ewen Mullins head of Crops Department at Teagasc and VALPRO Path co-ordinator at the meeting in Brussels.

Senior EU-level stakeholders from policy, regulation, research, business and civil society have got together for a high-level roundtable in Brussels to chart Europe’s protein future.

The Teagasc-led event focused on identifying ways to increase self-sufficiency in protein, and forms part of VALPRO Path, a four-year EU-funded project to conduct research and pilot initiatives in this space.