Report

Putting British success on the menu

Think tank: Social Market Foundation

Author(s): Linus Pardoe

June 10, 2022

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at a UK alternative proteins strategy.

This report from Social Market Foundation think tank calls on the UK Government to adopt a comprehensive policy stance on alternative proteins. Alternative proteins are a greener, kinder, and more efficient means of getting protein into our diets, than animal-based foods. This report discuss the potentially wide-ranging benefits of alternative proteins, and notes that UK policy in this space is fragmented and underdeveloped. This report makes the case that government should help to expand consumer choice and catalyse a consumer-led transition to more sustainable forms of protein.

Recommendations 1. BEIS should be tasked with developing a UK alternative protein strategy with cross-departmental input within the next 12 months. 2. The Government should commission an innovation needs assessment for alternative proteins to better understand the scale of R&D required and where money could be spent most effectively. 3. Supermarkets should publicly disclose what proportion of protein sales come from plant-based products, striving to reach 30% by 2030. 4. Reforms to Government Buying Standards for food should leverage the power of the public sector to aid the transition to meat, dairy and seafood alternatives. 5. Improve public data on animal-based protein consumption.