Sector observers argue that cell-based beef and chicken will enter inventory this decade. Planning for this event raises an important question: will people know what they are buying? Will the laws governing the sale of farm-raised meat be the same for cell-based meat? In March, the FDA sent the same “no questions” letter to Eat Just regarding its cell-based chicken.
For the various companies developing cell-based ag, the answer in 2018 was clear: If they don’t come together to address these kinds of questions, they could be hurt going forward. Over the next year, in languid chats and weekly conference calls, they forged an alliance that could pave the way for cellular disruption of the meat market. today the Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation, or amps innovation, is the first special-interest group in Washington, DC to represent the field of cellular agriculture. it counts nine Members so far including Upside Foods and Eat Just.
The group, as a formal trade association, has a manifold mission. Public education and outreach—explaining cellular agriculture to consumers and elected officials—are part of it. But the biggest challenge for these rivals is just around the corner, as federal agencies gather rules Managing cell-based methods for the production of beef, poultry, pork and seafood. Grabbing a seat at the table is the biggest concern for companies forming new alliances as policy-making begins. As they know all too well, the Big Egg is a force within beltway: Tyson Foods alone spent $1.8 million Last year negligible compared to AMPS innovation on lobbying $20,000, It is believed that speaking as one voice will guarantee these newcomers a greater say in the policy-making process. “It’s far more effective,” said Josh Tetrick, CEO of Eat Just. “It’s more believable when you speak collectively as opposed to speaking as a company.”
