In a memorandum addressed to the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, the Hellenic Vegetarian Association (HellasVeg) requests that specific targets for the production of Greek legumes and plant proteins intended for the consumer’s plate—and not only for animal feed—be explicitly included in the Greek strategic plan for the new CAP 2028-2034.
Specifically, the Hellenic Vegetarian Association (HellasVeg) submitted its proposals and interventions for the national planning of the new CAP 2028-2034 to the public consultation platform of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MinAgri). The submission of the proposals was accompanied by a detailed Memorandum, which was also sent to Minister Mr. M. Schinas and the competent Secretary-General, Ms. A. Zerva. The proposals were submitted as part of the Association’s active participation in the ongoing National Dialogue.
The intervention is based on international statistical data, as well as the analysis of the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), of which HellasVeg is a member. The Association calls for setting as a national priority the boosting of production for legumes and other protein crops (such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, fava beans, grass peas, broad beans, peas, lupins, and non-GMO food-grade soy) intended for direct human consumption.
A gap in European protein policy
The European Commission’s Protein Action Plan sets one single quantitative target: increasing the share of European protein in animal feed from 25.8% to 35% by 2035.
Direct human consumption is not covered at all—even though, as HellasVeg points out, legumes currently account for just 2% of the protein consumed by Europeans and could be covered entirely, or to a large extent, by European production. Greece imports approximately 60–65% of the legumes it consumes, despite traditionally being a Mediterranean country whose soil and climate favor legume production. During the same period, Northern European countries such as Denmark have recognized the nutritional value of legumes and are striving to integrate them into their local crops.
What HellasVeg is asking for
The memorandum emphasizes four pillars:
- “New sector for protein crops for human consumption” in the Common Market Organization (CMO) Regulation: An explicit, separate category for food-grade legumes, with mandatory recognition of producer organizations.
- National plan and “starter package”: Special support (income, investments, crop rotation) and a National Protein Diversification Strategy with a food-focused dimension.
- Market: Origin labeling and combating “internationalizations” (misleading origin practices/illegal Hellenization of imports) that harm the Greek producer’s income.
- Value chain: Investments in cleaning, packaging, processing, and innovation, so that added value remains in the Greek countryside.
Benefits for the Economy, Environment, and Health
HellasVeg substantiates its proposal on the feasibility of increasing domestic production and consumption of plant protein with data concerning:
- Foreign exchange savings from import substitution.
- Reducing the country’s dependence on soy imports for animal feed by increasing the consumption of plant proteins (the EU imports 84% of its soy needs).
Notably, it is stated that reducing animal protein consumption is a more effective solution for reducing soy dependence than simply substituting it with imported soy: an 18–25% reduction in animal protein consumption would completely eliminate the need for imported feed soy.
- The environmental benefits of legumes in crop rotation (nitrogen fixation, fewer fertilizers).
- The benefits of legume consumption for cardiovascular health.
HellasVeg emphasizes that its proposal is not directed against the cultivation of animal feed, but rather complements human food needs for protein crops. As Greece will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2027, this presents a significant opportunity for food-grade legumes to be treated as an equal, additional pillar of national agricultural policy.
About HellasVeg
HellasVeg (Hellenic Vegetarian Association) is a non-profit organization of citizens and consumers who choose a vegetarian diet. It is a member of the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), an umbrella organization of 48 civil society organizations across 29 European countries.
More information at https://www.hellasveg.gr/, Tel.: +30 2310 474115 | Email: info@hellasveg.gr.
Thessaloniki, November 3, 2026