The European Alliance for Plant-based Foods (EAPF) rejects the amendments proposed by some MEPs. Further unnecessary restrictions harm the Commission’s EU Protein Action Plan, the credibility of the EP, farmers, manufacturers and consumers.
While European farmers are facing drought, wildfires and a growing number of business closures, a group of MEPs has deemed the most pressing issue of the summer to be the definition of a burger.
A list of amendments by conservative and right-wing MEPs, published by the European Parliament’s AGRI Committee on July 22, suggests that the list of prohibited terms for plant-based foods may be extended to include “burger”, “sausage”, “schnitzel” and “nugget”, among others.
The EAPF rejects these new proposals, which only serve the interests of certain lobbies while harming the strategic priorities of the European Union.
Thomas Schobesberger, Secretary General of the European Alliance for Plant-based Foods: “These proposals look more like a grocery list for the meat lobby’s summer BBQ than a legislative document. It is simply unbelievable how some MEPs are making this useless debate a political priority when European farmers are struggling, due to an historic drought and heatwave.”
These proposals harm the EU’s Protein Action Plan, which aims to reduce dependency on feed imports by promoting plant-based value chains. Imposing unnecessary restrictions and bureaucracy on food manufacturers and limiting consumer choice is counterproductive for a thriving plant-based sector.
Plant-based food value chains offer many economic opportunities for European farmers and food businesses, while helping Europe to make its food supply more varied, autonomous and secure. What the sector needs is a reliable framework for investments, favourable conditions and a level playing field, not more unnecessary rules.
Undermining the credibility of the European idea
With these proposals, MEPs are reopening the ‘veggie burger’ debate for the third time in six years, despite voting on a revision of the CMO in June, which banned 31 terms for plant-based foods.
Thomas Schobesberger, EAPF: “This also undermines Parliament’s authority. If Europe’s only directly elected institution repeatedly reopens agreements until the result favours particular interests of the meat lobby, it cannot expect to be taken seriously. This weakens its position as a co-legislator on all files and harms the European idea.”
The EU Protein Action Plan
On 7 July 2026, the European Commission published its Protein Action Plan, which recognises plant proteins as a strategic pillar for Europe’s food security, competitiveness and climate ambitions.
Restricting how European producers can name and sell their plant-based products is detrimental to the objectives of the Action Plan. As an increasing number of European farmers are diversifying into plant protein production, they need markets, investment and stability, not a fight over words.