Food awareness organization, ProVeg International, today welcomed the approval by US regulators for two companies – Upside and Good Meat – to sell cultivated chicken in US restaurants.
“This is fantastic news and will open the gates to many more product approvals, bringing nearer the day when the factory farming of animals and its associated environmental burdens will become history,” Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of ProVeg International, said.
“Animal agriculture is responsible for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions so it is vital that we further promote the development of cultivated meat around the world to prevent us breaching the internationally agreed 1.5 temperature limit.
“The development of cultivated meat also allows more people to eat in a sustainable way, making the shift to more climate-friendly diets much easier,” de Boo added.
A life-cycle assessment shows that cultivated beef could result in a reduction of 92% of carbon footprint if renewable energy is used in the production process, 95% of land use and 78% of water requirements, compared to conventional beef production((Delft, CE Delft (February 2021): LCA of cultivated meat. Future projections for different scenarios. Available at: https://drive.google. com/file/d/1ao1IYCiIj8CM5EikPXF8PLo33mAiSnDJ/view [15.09.2021] )).
The Dutch government awarded €60 million last year to support the creation of a national cellular-agriculture ecosystem as part of the country’s National Growth Fund. Singapore led the way with approvals, giving the go-ahead for cultivated meat in 2020.
“Other countries should be looking at similar investment commitments whilst cultivated meat is still in its infancy,” de Boo said.
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About ProVeg International
ProVeg is an international food awareness organization working to transform the global food system by replacing conventional animal-based products with plant-based and cultivated alternatives.
ProVeg works with international decision-making bodies, governments, food producers, investors, the media, and the general public to help the world transition to a society and economy that are less dependent on animal agriculture and more sustainable for humans, animals, and the planet.
ProVeg has permanent-observer status with the UNFCCC, is accredited for UNEA, and has received the United Nations’ Momentum for Change Award. ProVeg also has Observer Status at the IPCC.
