The Italian government has chosen to withdraw its proposal to ban cultivated-meat sales from the EU scrutiny process. Italy had previously submitted a Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) notification to the EU, which aims to prevent trade barriers within EU countries. The government made this notification to enforce its bill on banning cultivated food and animal feed. Minister of agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida announced on Facebook that the notification has been withdrawn as a sign of respect for the government’s work. However, Lollobrigida’s comments suggest that the withdrawal from the EU process may not put an end to the plan to ban cultivated-meat sales in Italy. He stated that the bill has already been approved in the senate and the commission of the chamber of deputies, and he expects it to be approved by the chamber of deputies as well. Italy has withdrawn the TRIS notification, which was meant to examine the draft law’s compliance with EU law, describing it as a mere formality.
Despite this, Lollobrigida denies reports about withdrawing the bill and claims that it has been approved. The bill to ban cell-based food and animal feed was approved earlier this year in Italy, meaning that companies in the country will be prohibited from producing food or feed derived from vertebrate animals’ cell cultures or tissues. Violating these rules could result in fines of up to €60,000 ($65,022). Lollobrigida emphasizes that he is dedicated to following the indications of the municipalities, the regions, and the millions of Italian citizens who have explicitly requested protection for their health and economy.
Francesca Gallelli, an Italian policy consultant at the Good Food Institute, hopes that the withdrawal from the European examination signifies the government’s willingness to modify the bill and ensure compliance with EU law. However, she points out that just a week ago, the parliamentary majority rejected all changes to the bill, including those aimed at harmonizing it with European legislation. Gallelli hopes that Parliament will avoid passing a law that would create fragmentation in the European single market and impede the sustainable growth of the country, as well as causing immediate damage to Italian companies in the sector.
In conclusion, the Italian government has withdrawn its proposal to ban cultivated-meat sales from the EU scrutiny process, despite claims that the bill has already been approved. The decision has sparked concerns about compliance with EU law, as well as potential economic consequences for Italian companies in the food and drink industry.
