Current EU policy discussions on biofuels and indirect land-use change (iLUC) risk creating unintended consequences for European protein production. 

Donau Soja is actively advocating for a differentiated approach that recognises the origin and quality of soya. A blanket classification of soybean oil as high iLUC risk would undermine sustainable European production and weaken regional value chains. 

To address this, Donau Soja has formally submitted an open letter to the European Commission, co-signed by a coalition of members and partners across the European soya value chain. The letter calls for an origin-based and science-driven framework, including the exemption of European-grown soya from high-iLUC classification and stronger alignment with the EU’s Protein Strategy. 

Without such differentiation, there is a risk of increasing Europe’s dependency on imports from regions with higher deforestation risk, rather than reducing global land-use pressure. 

European soya is produced in a largely deforestation-free context and contributes to climate goals, food security and strategic autonomy. Ensuring that EU biofuel policy reflects these differences is essential to support a resilient and sustainable European protein system. 

Further details are available in our press release: https://www.donausoja.org/news-eu-proposal-soybean-oil-classification-threatens-european-protein-production/