European Union Launched €5.5 Million Protein Project
The research initiative seeks to reduce reliance on imported feed through 11 new regional practice hubs.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Agriculture
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In September 2026, the European Union launched the €5.5 million PROCEED research project to test alternative protein feed supply chains. The initiative brings together 20 partners across 12 EU countries and the United Kingdom to develop grain and forage legumes.
Why it matters
The project aims to insulate European livestock systems from international trade disruptions and climate-related production shocks. By promoting legumes, the initiative also hopes to reduce farm dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Soybean and soybean meal account for 72% of all protein imports used in European animal feed. The project will coordinate its efforts through a network of 11 regional Practice Hubs.
The players
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 member states that is the primary funder of the Horizon Europe research programme.
James Hutton Institute
The James Hutton Institute is a research organization that provides knowledge in land, crops, water, and the environment.
University of Perugia
The University of Perugia is an Italian public university that hosts the scientific coordinator for the project.
The details
The James Hutton Institute will lead the establishment of these hubs, which connect farmers, processors, and researchers to test production under real farming conditions. These studies focus on utilizing nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria to replace traditional inputs.
Timeline
The PROCEED project began operations in September 2026.
The initiative is scheduled to run for five years.
Market Landscape
This initiative represents a strategic shift by the Horizon Europe programme to internalize agricultural supply chains. It positions European producers to compete more effectively against global protein importers by leveraging local legume production.
Farmers and feed businesses involved in the pilot hubs may see direct shifts in operational practices as they adopt new grain and forage legumes. These changes are intended to stabilize costs by reducing exposure to volatile global soybean markets.
The takeaway
The transition toward domestic legume production marks a significant attempt to modernize European feed supply chains. By focusing on nitrogen-fixing crops, the sector aims to achieve long-term sustainability alongside economic independence.
Further reading
For more on evolving farming standards and feed supply chains, explore our Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Seed World.
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