The Danish government has published a “precedent setting” national action plan outlining how the country can transition towards a more plant-based food system.
The action plan embraces the entire plant-based value chain from farm to table and underlines Denmark’s leadership role in advancing the contribution of ‘green foods’ to the rest of the world.
Developed in dialogue with stakeholders across the whole value chain the plan is designed in part to help position Denmark as a leading innovator in plant-based food production, creating a major future export opportunity for the country
Actions include providing training to chefs in public and private kitchens on how to prepare more plant-based meals, as well as a greater focus on plant-based diets in primary schools and strengthening plant-based skills throughout the education system.
Sustainable food group Good Food Institute Europe says publication of the plan follows the landmark investment of 1 billion kroner (€168 million) to advance plant-based foods announced two years ago, most of which went into a new Fund for Plant-Based Foods. The first round of this fund received 101 applications from startups, universities and other organisations, requesting more than three times the allocated budget of 58 million kroner (€7.78 million) – a clear sign of the field’s potential among European researchers and businesses.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, the Secretary General of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark, said: “Denmark is the first country to develop an action plan specifically for plant-based foods. Therefore, the plan itself is internationally groundbreaking.
Acacia Smith, Senior Policy Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, said: “Denmark has set an important precedent by becoming the first country to publish an action plan showing how its citizens and economy can transition towards more sustainable plant-based foods.
“Europe is the world’s biggest market for plant-based meat, and to take advantage of this growing industry – as well as to boost food security and create future-proof green jobs – other national governments across the continent should follow the Danish lead.”