This could make both countries, which are not EU members, the first European countries to have cultured meat on store shelves. The approval process in Switzerland takes about a year, while in the UK it takes one and a half years.
Within the European Union, cultured meat is considered a novel food, meaning the European food authority will thoroughly test and inspect the final product before it can be marketed. The EU approval process is estimated to take at least 18 months.
Cultured meat is "meat" that has been grown in a laboratory rather than coming from slaughtered animals. This not only saves animal lives but also benefits the climate. The global meat industry has a significant environmental and climate impact. In the Netherlands alone, it accounts for approximately 3.9 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.
There are significant differences among European member states regarding the approval of cultured meat. While the Netherlands has already given permission for public tastings, Italy intends to completely ban cultured meat. Such varied responses in EU countries may discourage investing companies, causing them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The Delft-based company Meatable sees its main markets for cultured meat in Singapore and the United States. Cultured meat has been permitted in Singapore for several years, and recently the US also gave the green light for sales. The Dutch company is also looking towards Israel, where efforts are now underway to allow cultured meat.