The European Commission and member states Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic have issued feedback on Hungary's draft ban on the production and sale of cultivated meat. As part of the TRIS procedure, which aims to prevent trade barriers within the EU, they pointed out significant risks to market unity and highlighted a lack of scientific justification for the proposed legislation.

The European Commission noted that the ban is unnecessary, as cultivated meat is not approved for sale in the EU yet, as well as "unjustified, as it could preclude the harmonized EU-wide novel food authorisation procedure, which includes a scientific evaluation by EFSA.” As with all novel foods, cultivated meat will in fact undergo a rigorous, evidence-based evaluation before it can be introduced to the market.

Member states echoed concerns about the threat to the EU’s single market, warning that a preemptive ban could disrupt the free circulation of goods across member states.

The Commission also reminded Hungary that, as a result of the opinion it received on the proposed law, it now needs to officially respond to the issues raised within the timeframe provided by the TRIS procedure or the Commission may commence infringement proceedings.

Bans on cultivated meat in the EU - what are the reasons stated

In July, Hungary proposed the law citing the need to protect "traditional food production" and prevent "potential health and environmental risks" associated with cultivated meat.

However, cultivated meat, which allows the production of the meat people love without the need to sacrifice animals, is not yet available to European consumers.

Initial research suggests that it could help reduce the environmental impact of meat production and lower the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Italy also approved a similar law last year but failed to comply with the EU’s regulation making the law potentially unenforceable.

Romania has also announced plans to introduce a similar ban on cultivated meat, but risks facing the same objections raised by the European Commission and other member states in response to Hungary's proposal.

Seth Roberts, Senior Policy Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, said: “In order to save time and resources, Romania might consider avoiding a possible ban that could conflict with EU law, as seen in the case of Hungary.”

“Cultivated meat has the potential to help improve food security, create jobs and reduce climate emissions. It will undergo a thorough regulatory process, and if European regulators deem it safe, consumers should be able to decide for themselves whether to eat it or not," he added.

Over 50 startups in Europe are working on cultivated meat. A recent analysis suggests that this sector, with appropriate political and financial support, could contribute €85 billion to the EU economy and create up to 90,000 jobs by 2050.

The ban on cultivated meat - the opinions of Member States

Sweden's opinion is that "these reasons are unacceptable. Hungary has not submitted an assessment of the risks posed by cultured meat or otherwise demonstrated that such products may pose risks to, for example, human health or the environment."

The Netherlands reminded that products legally placed on the market in another member state should not be subject to arbitrary restrictions and that "Europe has the most rigorous food safety assessment in the world" arguing that they see "innovations such as these as complementary to the current 'traditional' way of producing animal proteins."

Lithuania recalls that "if a food product has been allowed to be placed on the EU market, it can be marketed in any EU member state, including Hungary, and therefore the provisions [...] of the draft technical regulation must be considered incompatible with the said EU regulation". It is also noted that some countries already allow the sale of cultured meat and "it is important that the EU remains competitive in the development of these technologies and dictates the conditions for regulation and standards globally."

Czech Republic noted that "the proposed ban would be an obstacle to the free movement of goods within the EU single market and would be contrary to the principles of free trade" and that "products that meet these safety requirements should be allowed to enter the EU single market under the same conditions as other approved foods."

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank and an international network of organizations that accelerate innovation in the field of alternative proteins to create a better food system for the planet, people, and animals.