Perspectives on cultured meat in countries with economies dependent on animal production: A review of potential challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Background

Developing cultured meat from animal cells 20 years ago might have been questionable. However, the cultivation of meat without the need for animal slaughter is already a reality, and public pressure to commercialize these products has gained increasing strength in recent years. Conventional meat production and export sectors play a fundamental role in the economy of countries with an agricultural tradition. However, the meat industry's negative environmental and social impacts, such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and animal welfare concerns, have grown as demand for meat has increased.

Scope and approach

This review discusses perspectives on the global introduction of cultured meat and how it could impact economic dynamism in countries dependent on conventional livestock farming. Several countries with a livestock tradition and meat-importing countries have invested heavily in developing cultured meat and have pressed for changes in public policies and regulations to make the commercialization of these products viable.

Key findings and conclusion

This review provided insight into the legislative challenges cultured meat may face in traditional meat-producing and exporting countries. The vision and behavior of leading meat production and export countries differ entirely. There is strong interest in the technological advancement of cultured meat in some countries, while in others, powerful interest groups have been pessimistic about cultured meat entering the market. Furthermore, this review highlights that introducing new technology has significant potential to reconfigure the social landscape and cause environmental, economic, and political impacts on society.