Cellular Agriculture and the Role of Farmers is our next debate livestreamed from the European Parliament in Brussels on October 14 from 1600-1730 CET.
Background
The future of agriculture is at a crossroads. As Europe strives to meet its Green Deal objectives and ensure food security in the face of climate change, the need for innovative, sustainable protein sources becomes ever more urgent.
Cellular agriculture—the production of animal products directly from cells rather than whole animals—has emerged as a promising solution.
Yet, questions remain: What role will farmers play in this new food system? Can cellular agriculture empower rather than displace them?
Focus of the event
This high-level event will explore how cultivated meat can be integrated into rural economies, with farmers as active participants in the production process.
At the heart of the discussion is RESPECTfarms, a pioneering European initiative that aims to develop farm-based cultivated meat production. This project envisions a future in which farmers produce meat without raising or slaughtering animals, while continuing their role as food producers and stewards of the land.
The event is designed to provide policymakers—particularly Members of the European Parliament—with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges cellular agriculture poses, as well as its potential to support a just transition for farmers.
Speakers
MEP Sigrid Friis, Renew Europe.
MEP Niels Fuglsang, S&D.
MEP Tilly Metz, Greens/EFA.
Ina Paitjan, Legal Researcher, GAIA.
Reineke Hameleers, CEO of Eurogroup For Animals.
Ira van Eelen, Co-Founder of KindEarth. Tech and globally recognised advocate for cultivated meat. She will outline the ethical, environmental and socio-economic dimensions of cellular agriculture.
Annelies Bogaerts, CEO of Fishway – A European company developing cultivated fish, providing insights into innovation in aquaculture and the importance of EU-level support.
Mark Post, Chief Scientific Officer of Mosa Meat.
Ruud Zanders, A participating farmer from the RESPECTfarms project – Sharing personal motivations and perspectives on transitioning toward this new form of farming.
Debate moderated by Philip Herd, Editor-in-Chief, The Brussels Times
Why this matters for the European Parliament
Policy relevance: As the EU develops frameworks around sustainable food systems, cellular agriculture is likely to become part of future strategies and legislation.
Farmer inclusion: RESPECTfarms provides a compelling model for ensuring that farmers are not left behind in the protein transition.
Ethical leadership: Supporting technologies that reduce animal suffering while maintaining food sovereignty aligns with core European values.
Invitation to attend
We warmly invite you to attend this event which will be livestreamed on The Brussels Times website and contribute to the dialogue on how Europe can support an agricultural future that is sustainable, innovative, and inclusive.
Your participation will be instrumental in shaping a well-informed and forward-thinking policy debate on cellular agriculture.
This event is supported by GAIA
