China has been increasingly voicing its support for the development of plant- and cell-based proteins, and Chinese scientists have declared cultured meat is nearing mass industrialisation.
But more help is needed from the government to guide the researchers and companies in the cultured meat sector, said Sebastian Joy, president of ProVeg International, a non-profit organisation that raises food awareness.
“Cultured meat companies will need help to launch their products and thrive in any market,” said Joy. “Companies in this sector have a tendency to work in silos, duplicating efforts and wasting resources so it’s very important for governments to fund foundational research.”
In May, China released its latest five-year plan for bio-economic development, which included a particular call to expand the production of “synthetic proteins” to “reduce the pressure on environmental resources brought about by conventional animal agriculture” between 2021 and 2025.
The cultured meat companies need clear guidelines, well-defined standards, and detailed information on how to evaluate the safety and manufacturing processes of cultured meat, according to Joy.
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Joy encouraged China to follow the example of the Netherlands, which in April awarded €60 million (US$60 million) to support the creation of a national cellular agriculture ecosystem as part of the country’s National Growth Fund.
