The U.K. Government has published a paper entitled ‘The Benefits of Brexit’, in which it has included one six-line paragraph alluding to potential novel food regulation updates.
In the section regarding food, the government pledges it will work with the Food Standards Agency to ‘update the process for approving novel foods’. It’s an attempt to support innovators within the sector, while being transparent for consumers and investors. Although the term is not explicitly defined, sustainable protein was named as the key focal area.
While the mention of the alternative protein sector at all is encouraging, the paper mentions no further action or investment in the sector.
A fair portion of the food and drink section of the report focuses on a farm to fork strategy. Supporting domestic agri-food production is listed as a priority, although alternative protein is deemed a values-driven purchase.
“We will do more to ensure the UK is at the forefront of food innovation globally, giving consumers the choice and ability to consume more sustainable proteins that align with their values, while also supporting our net zero ambitions and strengthening the UK’s food security,” the report states.
Despite the claims that “record levels of research and development funding” will be pumped into making the U.K. a scientific superpower, citing £20 billion by 2024-2025, there is no specification about which sectors will benefit. There is no mention of the burgeoning global cultivated meat industry or food development at all. Nonetheless, those within the cultivated meat sector in the U.K. are citing the report as “huge” and promising.
