A ban on cultivated meat is a ban on European research and innovation

In July this year, Hungary notified the European Commission of a national draft law banning the production and sale of cultivated meat, on grounds that “technologies other than traditional food production” threaten “our fundamental values and fundamental rights to physical and mental health and a healthy environment”. 

We, European startup organizations, strongly oppose this draft law, as it would be a major setback not only for the European food tech industry but for innovation in Europe at large. More specifically, we oppose the draft law for 5 reasons: 

1. A ban on cultivated meat would set a dangerous precedent for European technologies. 
2. Biotechnologies like the ones behind cultivated meat are strategic for Europe’s sovereignty, food security and global competitiveness. 
3. The draft law is incompatible with the Single Market both in principle and law.
4. A ban is not needed to protect Europeans’ health. 
5. Consumers should have freedom of choice.