News in brief:
-Â The Italian parliament has passed a bill banning cultivated meat and animal feed, citing a need to protect traditions and the agricultural sector.
– Agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida praised the decision as safeguarding Italy’s food heritage, but critics argue that the ban overlooks potential benefits of lab-grown meat.
The Italian parliament has voted in favour of a bill banning the production, sale, or import of cultivated meat or animal feed, according to a news report.
Italy’s right-wing government defended the decision, emphasising the need to protect the country’s traditions and the agricultural sector.
Agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, expressed delight at the decision. He said that Italy’s decisive step will safeguard its food heritage and protect farmers from the potential risks of synthetic products.
The new law represents a victory for Italy’s agriculture minister, who pledged a year ago to prevent synthetic food from entering Italian kitchens. He also commended MPs for supporting the legislation, which was initiated in response to a petition organised by the Coldiretti lobby group.
Meanwhile, the vote sparked mixed reactions, with supporters and opponents of the ban gathering outside the parliament building. A minor altercation even erupted between both parties during the demonstrations.
The bill was approved by a significant margin of 159 votes to 53 and violators of the law face fines of up to â¬60,000 (£52,000).
However, the ban’s immediate impact is limited, as cultivated meat has only been authorised for human consumption in Singapore and the US. The EU has yet to approve lab-grown meat, which are categorised as novel foods.
If the bloc gives approval, Italy’s ban could be challenged by the European Commission.
The law prohibits synthetic foods derived from animal cells without slaughtering the animal. It also prohibits producers from using meat-related terms on labels to describe plant-based protein products.
However, critics argue that lab-grown meat is not synthetic because it is created by cultivating natural cells without genetic manipulation. The ban also disappoints animal welfare groups who view lab-grown meat as a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of meat production.
