The ban on synthetic meat is a victory for the government (and for Coldiretti) and a defeat for the country

The Lollobrigida bill approved in the Senate is a success for the executive because it shows a completely inadequate and divided opposition. But it is also damaging to Made in Italy innovation, research and production

The Senate approved the bill on the so-called “synthetic meat” with 93 votes in favour, 28 against and 33 abstentions, which prohibits the production, marketing and research of new foods grown in the laboratory. It is essentially a law that prohibits something that is already prohibited, because there is no food product from cell culture approved by the European Union. But if EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority), as is probable, authorizes synthetic meat, then the ban wanted by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida would no longer be valid. As also happened with the battle against insect meal, simply after EU authorization citizens would be free to consume what they prefer. From this point the law is perfectly useless. But unfortunately it is also harmful, because it destroys Made in Italy innovation, research and production in the bud. The same disastrous situation as for GMOs would arise: Italians could indeed consume synthetic meat but only if it was produced abroad.