Britain Leads Europe in Approving Lab-Grown Meat for Pet Food

Social Media · July 18

Britain has become the first country in Europe to approve lab-grown meat, with UK start-up Meatly receiving the green light from regulators to sell its cultivated chicken in pet food. This approval marks a significant milestone in food innovation, as cultivated meat products are expected to hit pet stores by the end of the year, pending successful taste trials among dogs.

Owen Ensor, Meatly’s chief executive and co-founder, highlighted the regulatory and governmental support that has facilitated this rapid approval process post-Brexit. He emphasized that the UK's departure from the European Union allowed for a more flexible regulatory environment, in contrast to the traditionally conservative stance of the EU and the food politics embroiling the US. Ensor stated, “There has been an opportunity with Brexit, both legally with the disengaging from the EU process, but also from a government perspective. There’s been a lot of enthusiasm for innovative solutions and I think that we’ll see that continue with the current Government.”

Founded in 2022, Meatly is the first company globally to receive authorization for cultivated pet food, which is produced from animal cells. While countries like Singapore have already approved lab-grown meat for human consumption, Ensor anticipates that it will take at least two years for the UK to follow suit. However, recent statements from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) suggest that changes to streamline the approval process for cell-cultivated meat are being considered, potentially reducing regulatory burdens and accelerating market entry.

Meatly plans to license its technology to other companies, potentially paving the way for human-consumable lab-grown meat. Ensor noted that the production process for human and pet food from cultivated meat is very similar. He also emphasized the ethical and sustainability challenges addressed by focusing on pet food, as a significant portion of global meat consumption is attributed to feeding pets. Lab-grown meat offers a solution that reduces the need for rearing and slaughtering animals, aligning with the values of pet owners who are concerned about animal welfare.

Environmental concerns about lab-grown meat's production impact have been raised, particularly regarding its potential global warming effects. A study by the University of California suggested that lab-grown meat could generate emissions four to 25 times higher than traditional beef, due to the energy-intensive purification processes required to avoid contamination. However, other research, such as that from the Good Food Institute, indicates that cultivated meat could eventually produce up to 92% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional meat, especially as production scales up.

Ensor remains optimistic about the sustainability of lab-grown meat, asserting that it is “dramatically more sustainable” than conventional meat products. He pointed out that this innovation addresses significant ethical dilemmas for pet owners who struggle with the idea of killing animals to feed their pets. Ensor added, “There’s a real challenge for people who love animals so they want to get a pet but that requires killing other animals to feed those pets. We want to make this as available as possible.”

With Britain's pioneering move in approving lab-grown meat for pet food, Meatly is set to revolutionize the market, offering a sustainable and ethical alternative that could eventually extend to human consumption. As the technology develops and regulatory landscapes evolve, the potential for cultivated meat to transform food production and consumption practices looks increasingly promising.

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-07-19

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