Championed by green advocates as much as mindful eaters, the days of plant-based “steaks” and “veggie burgers” may be numbered under plans up for a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Concerns over the greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farms have in recent years driven more Europeans to adopt vegetarian, vegan or plant-based diets, seen by advocates as a healthier alternative to regular meat consumption.

But many European livestock farmers — and the politicians who represent them — see plant-based foods that mimic meat as a threat, and one more challenge facing a troubled sector.

“It’s not sausage, and it’s not steak, plain and simple. Let’s call a spade a spade,” said Celine Imart, a right-wing EU lawmaker pushing for such terms to be banned for non-animal-based product

See Full Page