Italy became the first country in the world to officially ban the production, import and sale of cultured meat and synthetic products. The law, initiated by the right-wing government and supported by the farmers' lobby, aims to protect traditional animal husbandry, jobs and the world-famous Mediterranean diet. The ban covers the entire food chain - laboratory components cannot be used even in animal feed, and violations are expected to result in severe fines and factory closures. Supporters of the decision are celebrating the victory, saying that it will protect the country's food crop and reduce potential health risks. At the same time, critics and scientists are sounding the alarm: they believe that blocking cellular agriculture will slow down environmental and biotechnological innovation, and the law itself could trigger a legal dispute within the European Union.

Italy became the first country in the world to officially ban the production, import and sale of cultured meat and synthetic products. The law, initiated by the right-wing government and supported by the farmers' lobby, aims to protect traditional animal husbandry, jobs and the world-famous Mediterranean diet. The ban covers the entire food chain - laboratory components cannot be used even in animal feed, and violations are expected to result in severe fines and factory closures. Supporters of the decision are celebrating the victory, saying that it will protect the country's food crop and reduce potential health risks. At the same time, critics and scientists are sounding the alarm: they believe that blocking cellular agriculture will slow down environmental and biotechnological innovation, and the law itself could trigger a legal dispute within the European Union.