A investigation by Greenpeace has uncovered significant lobbying efforts by senior beef industry executives and livestock interests, leading to a series of bans and restrictions on cultivated meat products across Europe. The report by Unearthed, Greenpeace UK's investigative arm, highlights the extent of influence, particularly in Italy and at the European Union level.
Source: Photo 108780392 © aleksandr makarenko - Animal Carcasses hanging in Italian meat chiller
Unearthed claims coordinated business pressure was instrumental in Italy's November ban on cultivated meat. High-level meetings between Luigi Scordamaglia, president of Eat Europe, and European Commission officials, including President Ursula von der Leyen and Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, allegedly resulted in the exclusion of cultivated meat from the EU's 2040 climate plan. Scordamaglia, formerly the CEO of Italy's largest beef producer Inalca, has been a vocal opponent of cultivated meat.
Source: Unearthed.
The investigation, published on the Dutch website Follow The Money, also reveals that Eat Europe, a coalition involving Italian agricultural association Coldiretti and Brussels-based thinktank Farm Europe, played a key role in lobbying against lab-grown meat. The coalition's efforts included meetings with Hungary's agriculture minister, leading to Hungary's ban on the technology and its push for stricter EU regulations.
In response to the claims, Coldiretti stated its support for a "climate transition fit for all categories of products, rooted (in) our farming systems rather than labs." Farm Europe defended its position, emphasising its research and conclusion lab-grown meat production is closer to pharmaceuticals than conventional food.
Source: PFN_Ai_Archive_Cultivated_Meat
The controversy over these protectionist activities comes as the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) holds talks with the new Labour government about fast-tracking the approval process for lab-grown meat and other restricted products. Recently, the UK became the first European country to approve lab-grown meat for sale, starting with a pet food product made from cell-cultivated chicken by Meatly.
Despite regulatory advancements, public acceptance of cultivated meat remains low to neutral. A recent YouGov poll revealed only 26% of Brits would be willing to eat cultivated meat, a modest increase from 19% in 2012. The poll indicated higher acceptance among men and younger individuals, while enthusiasm among meat lovers and non-meat-eaters remains tepid.
The global Freedom Food Alliance continues its vigilance over meat industry collusion as it sees as crucial the public to remain informed about these lobbying efforts and their implications for the future of food technology.
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