The cultured meat can form one of the foundations of much-needed sustainable food systems. But since Eurogroup for Animals They warn that debates about its future must be based on facts and not on erroneous data.
And that false narratives currently prevail, proof of this is the debate that has taken place in AGRIFISH. And that, thanks to fallacies, reduces the real potential that the cultured meat as a sustainable food solution.
Cultured meat: no more wrong data at AGRIFISH
During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) of the European Union, the Austrian Minister of Agriculture presented an information note on “the role of the CAP in safeguarding the production of primary and high-quality food.”
It contains incorrect statements about the Sustainability Potential of Cultured Meat. But not content with this, the Minister asked the European Commission to prevent cultured meat products from being called meat.
The problem is that this is a crucial aspect, which would allow addressing the barriers that consumers encounter when changing food consumption patterns towards a more sustainable diet.
One of those barriers is the ability to easily identify sustainable products and alternatives. If the cultured meatthat is, real meat, but produced without slaughter, is called meat, consumers will be prevented from identifying it as a more sustainable alternative to other meats.
Studies on cultured meat are being ignored
The note, supported by several Member States, ignores several studies showing the sustainability potential of cultured meat. For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) has clearly recognized the enormous potential that cellular agriculture has.
And it highlights its ability to substantially reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from food production. While requiring less land and water. It could be significantly cheaper. And eliminates concerns about animal welfare.
This is a product that has nothing to do with transgenic, since no genetic alteration is made. It is simply a technique that allows the controlled production of meat from an animal. That is why we talk about cellular agriculture to produce cultured meat. Because it starts from a sample (biopsy) and replicates exactly the same sample without any modification or alteration of its structure.
Cultured meat contributes to animal welfare
The cultured meat can replace the large number of animals that are currently kept in very poor conditions on industrial farms. Additionally, it can create space for traditional and robust breeds, which can contribute to the biodiversity through grazing and at the same time serve as cellular reserves.
The cells for the production of cultured meat They can be obtained through biopsies that do not cause harm to animals. A major concern regarding animal welfare is, as mentioned in the note, the use of fetal bovine serum extracted from unborn calves.
While these techniques have been used during the research and development stage to grow cells, companies are developing animal-free media without the need to resort to fetal bovine serum, for both ethical and economic reasons.
A necessary approval of meat grown in the EU
Before the cultured meat can be marketed in the EU, regulatory approval will be necessary to ensure that it is safe for consumption. In the EU there is already an adequate regulatory framework for the safety of cultured meat and other new foods.
It is the Regulation on novel foods. This implies that the cultured meat could be considered a food. Instead of being a pharmaceutical product, as suggested in the note that has been presented at AGRIFISH.
The Novel Foods Regulation has a rigorous evaluation procedure, based on strict science and data. This was pointed out by the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides. And she stressed that so far no formal request for cultured meat in the EU.
He also explained that the HORIZON Europe project supports collecting more data on this alternative protein. “Data and evidence are the foundation of our work,” she stressed. Adding that, ultimately, “it is up to consumers to decide what they will eat.”
Cultured meat does not equal monopoly
The aforementioned note also raised the option of a few industrial-scale producers monopolizing the production business. cultured meat. Currently, the vast majority of the more than 160 companies working on the product are independent startups.
But the idea is to ensure that in the future the cultured meat can be produced by farmers and companies of different sizes. And that it can be part of a diversified small-scale agriculture. To achieve this, public authorities should invest in conducting open access research. Something that is possible, since it is being done in the Netherlands.
Cultured meat: more sustainable and ethical
The cultured meat can be an important piece of the puzzle of a sustainable food system. Providing a more ethical alternative to consumers who still want to eat meat.
Conversations around this innovative product must be based on science. And recognize its potential benefits for animal welfare, biodiversity and the liberation of land currently used to grow food for industrially raised animals.
And they must take into account that, as the number of cattle is significantly reduced, so will the methane that these produce. And methane is one of the gases that cause Global warming and its effects are much more harmful than those of CO2.