The promissory narratives of the Dutch National Protein Strategy

Abstract. In the wake of increasing geopolitical tensions and the disruption of supply chains, the EU has asked member states to develop a National Protein Strategy (NPS). This paper investigates the National Protein Strategy of the Netherlands, an important producer and global exporter of meat and dairy products that largely relies on the import of plant-based proteins from across the globe. The paper analyses the promissory narratives of protein futures as outlined in the NPS. It shows that the strategy is riddled with techno-optimist narratives that are promising to resolve the strategic deficit of proteins through a combination of increased legume production, innovative novel proteins, a scale leap in insect farming, and the optimization of waste flows. Only a surprisingly small role is reserved for a protein transition towards more plant-based consumption. A reduction in the production of meat and dairy for export is completely ignored. The paper concludes that the NPS primarily sustains and stabilizes the existing intensive livestock regime rather than transforming it.