Lab‑grown pet meat set to debut in UK stores, aims for greener future

The United Kingdom has become the first country in Europe to approve the sale of lab-grown meat. The British company Meatly specialises in producing food for cats and dogs. According to IFLScience, the product will be available later this year, and the company plans to scale up to industrial levels within the next three years.

The process begins with obtaining cells from a chicken egg, which then develops in an incubator that ensures the right temperature and acidity. Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are added, transforming the cells into meat. This innovative production method aims to reduce the impact of industrial farming on the environment, which is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The use of lab-grown meat for pet food can significantly reduce harmful gas emissions, resource use, and animal suffering. Jim Mellon, founder of the investment firm Agronomics, which supports Meatly, emphasised that pets consume large quantities of meat daily, making this initiative crucial in limiting the negative impact of traditional meat production on the planet.

Despite many advantages, the concept of lab-grown meat is not widely accepted. Some European countries, such as Italy, have opposed the introduction of cell-cultured meat and are concerned about protecting rich food traditions and citizens' health.

However, British studies from 2022 found that about 40 per cent of meat-eaters would be willing to try lab-grown meat, and 81 per cent of them would feed it to their pets. Even among vegans and vegetarians who would not choose such meat for themselves, most would still opt for it for their pets.