2025 Reflections from New Harvest Netherlands
As we close a dynamic year in the evolution of cellular agriculture and alternative proteins across Europe, I’m both humbled and energized by the progress we’re witnessing, not just in labs, but in collaborative research, policy engagement, and ecosystem building.
Across the continent, the momentum behind cell-based foods and broader protein diversification is unmistakable. National initiatives, like new open-access scale-up facilities in the Netherlands supporting cultivated meat and dairy R&D, are demonstrating how shared infrastructure accelerates innovation and lowers barriers for early-stage ventures. Reports show that strategic planning could unlock €500M–€1B in export opportunities for European cellular agriculture by the mid-2030s, a transformational economic prospect if we seize it wisely with supportive policy and investment.
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the progress of landmark EU-funded projects that align deeply with New Harvest’s mission to promote responsible, inclusive, and socially beneficial innovation in food systems.
FEASTS continues to build a robust, interdisciplinary evidence base on cultured meat and seafood, uniting research institutions from across 17 countries. This project has made strides in mapping sustainability, ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder perceptions, all grounded in food systems thinking. Crucially, findings from FEASTS are informing policy discourse and driving conversations about integrating farm-based and community perspectives into the future of food production.
EPIC-SHIFT has taken a broader lens, exploring alternative proteins beyond cell cultures, from insects and fungi to algae and by-products. By assessing environmental, social, and economic dimensions, EPIC-SHIFT is shaping holistic pathways for protein diversification that align sustainability with equity and consumer acceptance across diverse European regions.
At New Harvest, our commitment to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has never felt more critical. As science advances, we must ensure innovation is transparent, inclusive, values-driven, and attuned to societal needs, not just technological novelty. From ethical life-cycle assessments to community engagement and policy dialogue, the groundwork laid in 2025 aims to lay the foundations to position Europe as a thought leader in future food systems.
Yet, looking at the EU Biotech Act, where novel foods are excluded from the scope of regulatory sandboxes, a move that seems to defeat the whole purpose and definition of what a sandbox should be, the work is far from being done. The narrative behind this decision is, to say the least, disappointing. This highlights the importance of being a voice for the field. New Harvest has been actively participating in the European Agri Food Biotech Alliance, working alongside researchers, startups, and civil society to help shape a forward-looking and responsible European Biotech Act, making sure that innovations in Cell Ag are given the right stage.
Still, the road ahead requires even greater collective resolve. Scaling sustainable cellular agriculture, integrating it with cultural food values, and ensuring equitable access will demand continued investment in open science, shared infrastructure, and collaborative networks.
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