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The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite the potential of legume-supported production systems to reduce the externalities caused by current cultivation practices (excessive use of N fertilizer) and improve the sustainability of the arable cropping systems and the quality of human diets, sufficient production of high-protein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. Identifying the barriers to the production and consumption of legumes is the first step in realizing new pathways towards more sustainable food systems of which legumes are integral part. In this study, we engage stakeholders and decision-makers in a structured communication process, the Delphi method, to identify policy interventions leveraging barriers that hinder the production and consumption of legumes in the EU. This study is one of a kind and uses a systematic method to reach a common understanding of the policy incoherencies across sectors. Through this method we identify policy interventions that may promote the production of legumes and the creation of legume-based products in the EU. Policies that encourage reduced use of inorganic N fertilizer represent an important step toward a shift in the increased cultivation of legumes. Relatedly, investment in R&amp, D, extension services, and knowledge transfer is necessary to support a smooth transition from the heavy use of synthetic N fertilizer in conventional agriculture. These policy interventions are discussed within current EU and national plant-protein strategies.

This Deliverable presents our final policy evaluation report giving, ‘An overview and classification of European and international policies to support legume-based systems’. This key output was developed to deliver four policy briefs - to help build positive, proactive policies to support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems.

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The series of decision models produced in this Deliverable (D8.2) will be integrated into a model for the assessment of overall sustainability of legume systems, with respect to the identification of key legume-based system indicators for the three pillars of sustainability. The decision model will be then used for evaluation of the relative sustainability of transition pathways to more effective scenarios.&nbsp

This Deliverable presents the result from the application of a policy Delphi and highlights how experts assess the potential of governance contexts that may favour therealisation of legume-supportedvalue chains.

One type of harsh environment for plants is metal-and metalloid-contaminated or mineralized soils: these exist in most countries due to geological formations or to a history of mining and/or smelting. Depending on soil pH and fertility, metal-rich soils may be barren and eroding into wider areas. Some elements present risk to humans, wildlife, livestock, plants, or soil organisms and require remediation. The engineering approach of removing the contaminated soil is extremely expensive. Thus, alternative methods for in situ remediation of element-rich soils have been developed by the agricultural sciences. These methods include phytoextraction (growing plants which accumulate high concentrations of an element in shoots for removal from the field) and phytostabilization (adding soil amendments which convert soil elements into forms with much lower phytoavailability and bioavailability so they no longer pose a risk to the environment). Phytomining is a variant of phytoextraction in which the element accumulated in plant shoots has enough value to support farming a hyperaccumulator crop to produce a commercial bio-ore. This chapter reviews these valuable phytotechnologies which have been developed in the last few decades to reduce the costs of alleviating environmental risks of contaminated soils.

The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite their potential to improve the well-being of arable cropping systems, sufficient production of high-protein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. The reasons are multiple and span economic, agronomic, research, and extension services, as well as aspects of culture and traditional dietary habits. Given the well-documented advantages of legume-supported production systems and diets, that include ecosystem and health provisions, acknowledging and promoting legumes as cornerstone species for more sustainable agri-food systems is a necessary and logical step. This paper provides an integrated analysis of case studies and current policies that shape the production and consumption of legumes in Europe. This study identified three key pathways, which can be integrated into sustainable farming systems to support current and future food security challenges via the use of legumes and legume-based products. At each pathway, we identified several enablers that support the sustainability transformation of legume production and consumption in Europe.

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This policy brief addresses the vital need to increase education and awareness of the role for legumes in improving health conditions and their positive impacts on the environment, starting from early years. &nbsp

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This policy brief addresses the vital need to increase education and awareness of the role for legumes in improving health conditions and their positive impacts on the environment, starting from early years. &nbsp

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This Policy Brief on ""Promoting sustainable food and feed systems", focusses on how the CAP, Supranational Protein Strategies (EC, 2018), and the EU Farm to Fork Strategy within the European Green Deal (EC, 2019) can be integrated to address the 'policy paradoxes' and deliver a more-effective 'policy toolbox', which is capable of sustaining increased grain legume production and consumption across Europe. &nbsp

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This Policy Brief onThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the transition to legume supported food systems addresses the critical need for knowledge exchange and education of farmers in the EU to the benefit of legumes. A transition to home-grown legume supported agri-food and feed-systems in Europe also requires a major, concerted, and strategic effort across the value chain, including the crucial role of extension services. &nbsp

The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite their potential to improve the wellbeing of arable cropping systems, sufficient production of highprotein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. The reasons are multiple and span economic, agronomic, research, and extension services, as well as aspects of culture and traditional dietary habits. Given the well-documented advantages of legume-supported production systems and diets, that include ecosystem and health provisions, acknowledging and promoting legumes as cornerstone species for more sustainable agri-food systems is a necessary and logical step. This paper provides an integrated analysis of case studies and current policies that shape the production and consumption of legumes in Europe. This study identified three key pathways, which can be integrated into sustainable farming systems to support current and future food security challenges via the use of legumes and legume-based products. At each pathway, we identified several enablers that support the sustainability transformation of legume production and consumption in Europe.

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This Policy Brief on ""Promoting sustainable food and feed systems", focusses on how the CAP, Supranational Protein Strategies (EC, 2018), and the EU Farm to Fork Strategy within the European Green Deal (EC, 2019) can be integrated to address the 'policy paradoxes' and deliver a more-effective 'policy toolbox', which is capable of sustaining increased grain legume production and consumption across Europe. &nbsp

Despite the potential of legumes to improve the sustainability of arable cropping systems and enhance the quality of farmed animal and human diets, the production and consumption of legumes in Europe are low, whereas their demand for feed is high.” This insight, also called a legume paradox, was shared by many stakeholders (approximately 600) from the TRUE project partnership and beyond. To support the realisation of more sustainable legume-based systems, results from the TRUEpolicy analysis are formulated as recommendations and collected in four policy briefsto help develop positive, proactive approaches This Policy Brief onThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the transition to legume supported food systems addresses the critical need for knowledge exchange and education of farmers in the EU to the benefit of legumes. A transition to home-grown legume supported agri-food and feed-systems in Europe also requires a major, concerted, and strategic effort across the value chain, including the crucial role of extension services. &nbsp

The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite their potential to improve the wellbeing of arable cropping systems, sufficient production of highprotein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. The reasons are multiple and span economic, agronomic, research, and extension services, as well as aspects of culture and traditional dietary habits. Given the well-documented advantages of legume-supported production systems and diets, that include ecosystem and health provisions, acknowledging and promoting legumes as cornerstone species for more sustainable agri-food systems is a necessary and logical step. This paper provides an integrated analysis of case studies and current policies that shape the production and consumption of legumes in Europe. This study identified three key pathways, which can be integrated into sustainable farming systems to support current and future food security challenges via the use of legumes and legume-based products. At each pathway, we identified several enablers that support the sustainability transformation of legume production and consumption in Europe.