Cultivated Meat – Between Hype and Farmers’ Resistance

Originally posted by ITA

Why Talking About Futures and Transformation Is So Difficult When It Comes to Meat

Austria, Italy and France are among the EU countries that are increasingly opposed to cultivated meat, also called “in-vitro” or “lab-grown” meat. The Austrian government recently announced a ban on cultured meat after a petition with 44,000 signatures was submitted by regional chambers of agriculture.

Once promoted as a solution to environmental, ethical, and food security challenges, cultivated meat is now facing increasing political and social resistance. Proponents see it as a potential for real transformation and a sustainable future, while critics see it as a threat to traditional agriculture. Cultivated meat has become symbolic of the larger struggle to transform food systems.

The spread of misinformation and ideological divides further hinder genuine public understanding. Meat, unlike other sectors in the sustainability transition, is deeply tied to culture, identity, and emotion, making…