Italy Approves Bill To Ban Lab-Grown Meat

While there’s many signs showing a global push towards meat alternatives, Italy has other plans. The country has just approved a new bill that’s squarely aimed at the burgeoning laboratory-produced food industry. Hoping to keep their agri-food heritage alive and strong, the bill bans the use of lab-grown food and animal feed. 

According to Reuters, before going into action, the bill proposal must be passed by parliament, who decides the fate of “cell cultures or tissues derived from vertebrate animals.” Any company caught in breach of the potential rule-change will face fines up to $65,022. 

Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, a senior member of Prime Minister Giogia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party said, “Laboratory products in our opinion do not guarantee quality, well-being and the protection of our culture, our tradition.” In response, any technological innovations that Meloni’s administration designates are harmful would be blocked from Italy’s food industry.

Some have praised the move, saying it not only protects the country’s traditions, but its industry from multinational companies as well. Others aren’t as supportive. Animal rights organizations and those pushing for cell-based agriculture were less than pleased. Head of policy at the Good Food Institute Europe, Alice Ravenscroft, shares her views, “The passing of such a law would shut down the economic potential of this nascent field in Italy, holding back scientific progress and climate mitigation efforts.”

Some feel that the decision will impact those looking for protein alternatives and perpetuate animal and environmental abuse. According to Anti-vivisection group LAV, the bill is “an ideological, anti-scientific crusade against progress.” They consider lab-grown meat, which is made with living animal cells, a good alternative to the current industry. Ravenscroft believes that “People must be able to make an informed choice.”