Italy bans production and sale of lab-grown meat

On November 16, the Italian Parliament passed a ban on the production and sale of lab-grown meat.

The reason given is that the production and trade of this type of meat will harm the domestic livestock industry.

Italy has become the first EU country to ban lab-grown meat, even though the product has not yet been approved for sale in the EU. Companies that violate the law could be fined up to €150,000. In addition to lab-grown meat, the law also prohibits describing plant-based proteins as meat on product labels, with fines ranging from €10,000 to €60,000 per violation.

Under the newly passed law, Italy wants to “protect the national livestock heritage”, recognise the cultural, socio-economic and environmental value of the sector, as well as “ensure a high level of protection of human health”. In addition, the law aims to protect consumers’ interests and their right to be informed about what they eat.

But opponents are warning that the government risks breaching EU single market rules by unilaterally banning lab-grown foods if the EU decides to allow them to be widely available.

Companies around the world are trying to commercialize meat alternatives due to ethical concerns surrounding factory farming as well as environmental concerns. Livestock farming is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases globally.

Lab-grown meat is currently allowed for sale in Singapore and the US, but not yet in the EU, although EU companies have been raising money to research this new field of science.

According to the Good Food Institute, 159 lab-grown meat companies are now operating in 32 countries. Investment in the sector has reached $2.8 billion worldwide, with €120 million raised in Europe last year.

Minh Hoa (t/h according to VTV, Thanh Nien)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/italy-cam-san-xuat-kinh-doanh-thit-nuoi-cay-trong-phong-thi-nghiem-a636447.html