LabFarm has been awarded Government funds to develop its technology
Food awareness organisation, ProVeg International, has today welcomed the awarding of €2 million (PLN 9 million) to cultivated meat company LabFarm by Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).
“Cultivated meat is an extremely promising way to diversify food resources and expand protein source choices for consumers towards a sustainable food system,” Marcin Tischner, Public Affairs Coordinator at ProVeg Poland, said.
“The technology can also allow for potential benefits for sustainability, health, and animal welfare. There are still some technological challenges that need to be solved to reach a significant scale, but we are convinced that mass consumption of cellular meat is realistic in the long term.
“To reach its full potential, the collaboration of all stakeholders is required, so we are thrilled to see such leadership from the Polish government in extending their support with this funding,” Tischner added.
LabFarm presented the first prototype of cultivated meat in Poland at the New Food Forum, which was held in June this year and organised by ProVeg Poland.
“Obtaining the grant means that LabFarm will be able to implement a research plan to increase production capacity and scale up production, optimise bioprocesses, work on proprietary nutrient formulations, structure the food product, and increase employment,” LabFarm said in a Linkedin post.
ProVeg Poland and cellular agriculture
ProVeg Poland has been actively supporting the development of the cellular agriculture sector for years. ProVeg collaborated on the “Przemiany Festival 2019” at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, where the first tasting of cultivated meat in continental Europe took place.
ProVeg Poland actively communicated and educated about the possibilities and potential of cellular agriculture on television and at industry events. The topic of cellular meat was also featured at the last three editions of the New Food Forum.
Cellular agriculture is gradually breaking through into the consciousness of Poles, with 56% believing that cell-grown meat should be available to consumers, subject to a positive opinion from food safety regulators1.
“We are delighted that Poland is joining the ranks of countries investing in alternative protein sources to ensure food security in Europe. The success of LabFarm is an example of how strategic initiatives and support can lead to real change in the food industry,” Tischner said.
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About ProVeg International
ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation with the mission to replace 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040. Our vision is a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.
