Italy To Ban Sale Of Lab-Grown Meat To Protect Farmers And Consumers
Italy’s government has announced it is supporting a bill to ban lab-grown meat and other synthetic foods in an effort to protect the country’s food heritage and promote health.
If approved, violating the ban could result in fines of up to €60,000 and losing the right to public funding, while factories that develop lab-grown meat could even be shut down.
“Laboratory products in our opinion do not guarantee quality, well-being and the protection of our culture, our tradition,” said Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Francesco Lollobrigida.
The bill has been praised by the farmers’ lobby, but some animal welfare groups argue that lab-made meat offers a solution to environmental and food safety concerns.
The proposed legislation seeks to ban synthetic foods produced from animal cells without killing the animal, extending to lab-produced fish and synthetic milk as well. It follows a series of government decrees prohibiting the use of insect-derived flour in pizza and pasta, with ministers citing the Mediterranean diet as motivation for both measures.
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
On the other hand, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cell-cultured chicken for human consumption. While no approval has been sought from the European Food Safety Authority, the European Commission has suggested that cell-based agriculture could be a promising solution for environmentally friendly food systems.
Critics argue that Italy would not be able to oppose the sale of synthetic meat produced within the European Union when it gains approval due to the free movement of goods and services.
The International Organization for Animal Protection (Oipa) emphasizes that lab-produced meat is an ethical alternative that does not harm animal welfare, environmental sustainability, or food safety.
However, some industry leaders, such as Paolo Zanetti, head of Italian dairy industry group Assolatte, have praised the government’s decision.
He argues that milk producers face a paradox, being asked to invest in environmentally friendly practices while investors promote unnatural products under the guise of environmental protection.
What’s your stance on this controversial bill?