ROME: Italy on Thursday banned the production and sale of cultivated meat, citing health concerns and a need to safeguard its livestock industry, even if its sale is not yet allowed in the European Union.
Cultivated meat, grown from animal tissue cells in a laboratory setting, is currently allowed for sale in countries like Singapore and the United States, but not within the EU, where it is considered a “novel food” subject to stringent regulations.
The law, which has received approval from both the Senate and the lower house of parliament, encompasses not only a prohibition on cultivated meat but also restricts the labeling of plant-based proteins as meat. Violations of this labeling restriction could result in fines ranging from €10,000 to €60,000 (1 Euro = RM5.08) per incident.
The aim is to ensure clarity in product labeling and protect consumers’ right to information about the products they purchase. Italy’s stance is grounded in a multifaceted approach.
Firstly, the law emphasises the need to protect the nation’s livestock heritage, recognising its cultural, socio-economic, and environmental significance.
The intention is to preserve the traditional relationships between land, people, and work that have existed for millennia. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, a member of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, expressed concerns that cultivated meat could disrupt this historical connection.
Furthermore, the legislation asserts its commitment to maintaining a high level of human health protection.
This is framed within the context of protecting consumers and their right to accurate information about the products they consume.
The law aims to prevent any potential adverse health impacts associated with the consumption of cultivated meat. However, critics argue that the move is more politically motivated, accusing the government of playing politics in anticipation of upcoming European elections.
Critics, including members of the opposition, suggest that the law may stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. Stefano Vaccari, the head of the Democratic Party on the agricultural commission, stated that the law does not align with the broader need to ensure globally healthy and nutritious food from sustainable and quality agricultural activities. The International Organisation for the Protection of Animals, an Italian nonprofit, criticised the law as premature, noting that cultivated meat has not yet received approval for human consumption in Europe.
If EU regulations permit its sale in the future, Italy might not be able to enforce the ban.
According to the Good Food Institute, there are currently 159 cultivated meat companies operating in 32 countries.
The sector has attracted significant global investment, reaching $2.8 billion, with €120 million raised in Europe in the previous year. The ban reflects Italy’s unique approach to balancing concerns related to health, tradition, and consumer information in the emerging landscape of alternative protein sources. – AFP
