‘Important Players’ In Romanian Meat Industry Behind Proposed Cultured Meat Ban, Says Investigation

An investigation into a proposed ban on cultured meat sales in Romania has revealed that the “initiators of the law” have close ties to the national meat industry. The bill, which bans the sale of meat grown from animal cells, was unanimously passed by the Romanian senate and will be voted on in the Chamber of Deputies soon. The “important players” behind the proposed ban are said to have connections to industrial livestock farms and own thousands of hectares, making them influential figures in the meat market.

Despite the growing interest in alternative proteins and cultivated meat, the meat industry’s lobbying efforts have been successful in promoting legislation against these products in the EU. The backlash against alternative proteins is driven by influential lobbying campaigns funded by livestock interests. However, despite these efforts, surveys indicate that over 50 percent of Europeans are reducing their meat consumption for reasons related to health, the environment, and animal welfare.