Poland’s standpoint

Adam Nowak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasised the critical importance of protein availability for food security. He highlighted the need to reduce the European Union’s heavy dependence on imported protein crops, primarily used for feed purposes.

“Protein crops offer a pathway to achieve many ambitious environmental goals, such as improving soil health, reducing fertiliser use, and cutting carbon emissions. Rather than relying extensively on imported protein feedstocks, it is imperative to prioritise sourcing from domestic or nearby locations. This approach would not only streamline supply chains but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with importing protein feed materials from South American countries,” highlighted Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak.

Production of biofuels from agricultural raw materials

In Poland’s perspective, a crucial aspect of establishing an autonomous strategy for proteins involves the European Union’s production of biofuels from agricultural raw materials.

“The EU’s climate and energy policy should not restrict the use of agricultural raw materials for biofuels,” stated the Polish deputy minister. “It is essential to maintain coherence across various EU policies and reassess all EU mechanisms that could hinder the advancement of protein feed production within the EU.”

Furthermore, fostering collaboration between researchers, protein crop producers, as well as the food and feed industry is essential for the development of the protein crop market.

Behind-the-scenes discussions

During the informal discussions on the sidelines of the meeting, Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak engaged in dialogues with agriculture ministers from France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, as well as high-level representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, COPA-COGECA, and CEJA.

Supplementary agenda

As part of the supplementary agenda, the Belgian Presidency showcased to the European Union’s agricultural ministers practical examples of protein autonomy in livestock production, as well as in sustainable fruit and vegetable production, considering the need for integrated plant protection methods and precision farming systems. The agenda aims to address challenges posed by climate change and labour shortages in agriculture.