Together with the Dutch MEP Anna Strolenberg, The European Science Alliance for Agriculture and Food (ESAAF) held its first official event in the European Parliament on Friday 13 February. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders such members of the European Board for Agriculture and Food (EBAF) for a roundtable focused on protein diversification and its role in building sustainable and resilient European food systems.
Protein diversification is necessary if Europe is to strengthen EU sovereignty, safeguard food security, improve climate resilience, and support both farmers and consumers through a broader portfolio of protein sources—ranging from improved traditional crops to novel and biotechnology-enabled alternatives.
A science-based dialogue for Europe’s Food Systems Future
Founded in 2025, ESAAF brings together leading research institutions across Europe with a shared goal: to provide independent science-based advice and foster constructive dialogue with policymakers and the wider public on key agricultural and food system challenges. The roundtable in the European Parliament reflected this mission. Experts from ESAAF institutions shared evidence-based insights on why protein diversification is essential. Political discussions about proteins are shaped by emotions, cultural factors, and income issues among farmers. Trusted, independent, and consensus-building scientific input is essential to depolarise the debate and design feasible transitions. ESAAF positions itself as an open, growing alliance able to provide rapid access to high-level experts and evidence-based advice across Europe’s diverse agri-food contexts.
To feed the debate, five key research areas essential to advancing protein diversification in Europe were addressed: (1) agronomic innovation for protein crops; (2) the challenges and synergies in balancing environmental and health outcomes; (3) advances in alternative protein technologies; (4) governance, behaviour, and dietary transition issues; and, finally, (5) the economic and international trade dimensions.
These contributions highlighted research priorities, innovation needs, and evidence‑based opportunities for policy action. Speakers emphasised that protein diversification should not be framed as a debate “for or against” any single protein source. Instead, Europe needs a balanced and diversified approach provided complementary insight addressing both the crucial role of fundamental research to nurture innovations in the food system.
The ESAAF team coordinating the European Parliament event on protein diversification.
Through this event, ESAAF introduced itself and showcased its role as a platform connecting European policymakers with high‑level scientific advice provided by leading experts from across the member countries.
Please find the event programme and the expert presentations at the bottom of this article.