UK Looks to Denmark for Fresh Perspectives

The UK Parliament will soon host a delegation from Denmark to explore insights from the country’s ambitious sustainable food and farming policies. Organised by the Vegetarian Society, the event promises a fresh perspective on how plant-based strategies can drive positive change across both health and agriculture.

The discussion will feature notable speakers, including Labour’s Shadow Minister for Farming and Food Security, Daniel Zeichner, and Rasmus Prehn, a member of the Danish Parliament who spearheaded Denmark’s National Plant-based Action Plan. This groundbreaking initiative aims to boost plant-based food in Danish diets, reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and create economic opportunities in an evolving global food sector.

The plan, backed by a €115 million budget, provides a detailed roadmap for significantly increasing the consumption of plant-based foods. The action plan not only has government support but also gained cross-party approval and buy-in from farming representatives—something Labour will be keen to learn about.

“Recently, an additional €5 million was committed to the project, and negotiations are underway to potentially double its funding,” the Vegetarian Society highlighted. “At its core, the plan introduces revised national healthy eating guidelines, developed by nutrition experts, that place greater emphasis on plant protein, fruit, and vegetables—urging Danes to eat more sustainably and healthily.”

Sponsored by Neil Coyle MP, the event will bring together policymakers, sector experts, and advocates to discuss the Danish experience, its impact, and the possibility of a similar approach in the UK.

Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, CEO of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark, emphasised the cooperative spirit that drove the initiative’s success: “A key to Denmark’s progress has been a collaborative approach. We’ve seen conventional farmers, organic producers, plant-based businesses, and green NGOs, including the vegetarian movement, all unite around this agenda. I look forward to sharing our journey.”

Jen Elford, Head of Policy at the Vegetarian Society, expressed excitement about the event: “We are thrilled to host this reception to celebrate the achievements of Denmark’s National Plant-Based Action Plan. By showcasing its success, we aim to inspire collaboration among key stakeholders here in the UK and work collectively towards a more sustainable, healthier future.”