The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) is calling on the UK government to bolster its commitment to alternative proteins by investing £150 million as part of the National Food Strategy.

This investment would aim to enhance the nutritional benefits of plant-based foods and unlock significant economic opportunities for UK farmers.

Recent analysis from GFI Europe highlights that the UK has emerged as the leading national funder of research into plant-based, cultivated meat and fermentation-derived foods in Europe.

Between 2020 and 2024, the UK allocated £129 million toward this research, primarily through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the nation’s largest public research funding body.

This funding has facilitated the establishment of several key research centers, including the £15 million National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre, which opened last year.

As the government prepares to update its food strategy in the spring, GFI Europe emphasises the need to build on this momentum. By investing in alternative proteins, the UK can further develop its plant-based food sector, accelerate fermentation technology, and cultivate meat production.

The proposed £150 million investment over the next five years, primarily sourced from UKRI’s £9 billion annual budget, would support several initiatives:

Plant-Based Innovation Fund: This fund would create local supply chains for crops like peas and broad beans, providing opportunities for UK farmers to grow ingredients for plant-based meat.

Engineering Biology Innovation Fund: This initiative aims to foster the development of new technologies such as precision fermentation, which has applications in producing sustainable proteins and cultivated meat.

University-based research and training: Investing in education to train future experts will help address technical challenges and explore the health benefits of protein diversification.

Research conducted by Systemiq, supported by GFI Europe, indicates that scaling the UK’s fermentation sector could contribute nearly £10 billion to the economy by 2050.

Additionally, analysis from Green Alliance predicts that the UK’s plant-based meat market could reach £2.7 billion by 2035 if consumption aligns with recommendations from the independent Climate Change Committee.

GFI Europe is also advocating for updates to national dietary guideines. It recommends revising the Eatwell Guide to better reflect the nutritional value of plant-based meats and to consider the environmental impacts of food choices.

Furthermore, GFI proposes setting targets for the proportion of protein-rich foods sold by large retailers, encompassing animal, seafood, and plant-based sources.

Linus Pardoe, senior UK policy manager at GFI Europe, said: “The food strategy is the perfect moment to double down on the UK’s commitment to protein diversification. By continuing to invest in these foods, ministers can capitalise on Britain’s growing expertise and increase the uptake of healthy and sustainable options to tackle our overconsumption of processed meat.”

As the UK solidifies its position as Europe’s foremost national funder of alternative protein innovation, the call for additional investment underscores the urgency for government action.

With global competitors, particularly China, advancing rapidly in this sector, the UK must act decisively to maintain its leadership in alternative protein development.