Czech biotechnology company BeneMeat has paused its UK expansion plans due to uncertainty over a proposed UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and its potential impact on cultivated meat regulation. The company, which has already invested in the UK, submitted a novel food application, and prepared tastings and production discussions, now awaits clarity on whether Britain will retain regulatory autonomy over emerging biotechnologies. BeneMeat argues that losing this ability could hinder innovation and push investment elsewhere, emphasizing the broader applications of its technology beyond food. In an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, the company urges the government to ensure any SPS agreement preserves Britain’s independent decision-making on biotechnology, warning that regulatory uncertainty is already affecting business decisions. The outcome will determine the future of BeneMeat’s UK operations, including its pending novel food authorization.
Source: BeneMeat puts UK cultivated meat plans on hold over EU regulatory uncertainty | PPTI News
