Call on Dutch government to support more plant-based food

A broad coalition from across the Dutch food and agricultural system is calling on the government to take action. The parties are asking for an Action Plan for More Plant-Based Food. The plan should encourage the production and consumption of plant-based food. The coalition presented its appeal at Nieuwspoort on 10 September 2026. Members of Parliament Joris Lohman (CDA) and Anne-Marijke Podt (D66) formally received the proposal.

Economic and social opportunities

Companies, supermarkets, trade associations, NGOs and educational institutions support the appeal. Producer organisations and foodservice companies have also joined the initiative.

These parties are already actively working on the protein transition. They want to accelerate this development together with the government.

Increasing the amount of plant-based food offers the Netherlands a range of economic opportunities. It supports innovation, employment and a resilient food supply chain. At the same time, a more plant-based diet can improve public health. It can also help reduce the environmental and climate impact of the food system.

The Dutch government aims to increase the consumption of plant-based proteins by 2030. By then, at least half of the proteins we consume should come from plant-based sources.

Five pillars for action

The signatories propose five pillars for the action plan:

1. Stimulate demand and improve the food environment.
2. Strengthen plant-based crop production and cooperation throughout supply chains.
3. Use public procurement to increase the number of plant-based meals.
4. Provide further support for research, innovation and product development.
5. Strengthen exports and the Netherlands’ position in the international market.

The parties are calling for an annual budget of €65 million to support this approach. A public Plant-Based Acceleration Fund should provide support throughout the entire supply chain. One third of the fund would be allocated to organic plant-based production.

Denmark as an example

Denmark already has a national action plan for plant-based food. The country also makes targeted investments in plant-based food production and innovation. The Dutch coalition sees this approach as an important source of inspiration.

A Dutch action plan could better connect existing ambitions in areas including health, food security, climate and future-proof agriculture. According to the signatories, this would give the protein transition greater momentum and coherence.

More information (in Dutch): Transitiecoalitie Voedsel