Chief executive of cultivated pet food manufacturer Meatly, daughter of William van Eelen, the pioneer of cultivated meat Ira van Eelen, private investor Jim Mellon, and Compassion in World Farming chief executive Philip Lymbery, discuss all aspects of cultivated meat.
Is this a way of ending cruelty to animals in the production of food? Will it take over from traditionally reared meat?  Can it help to halt climate change and prevent destruction of vital habitats in the pursuit of agricultural land? Is it an answer to feeding a growing global population? Will it help prevent disease and will it be affordable to all? And will it be acceptable to consumers?

Ensor is chief executive of Meatly/Good Dog Food, which creates cultivated meat for pet food. From a single sample of cells, they can create sustainable, ethical meat. Prior to launching Meatly, he scaled an insect protein facility for animal feed and was a consultant for Bain and Co.

Van Eelen is a huge supporter of the innovation of cultivated meat. She has worked in the field for more than 40 years, supports developments in cultivated meat and is a speaker, lobbyist and researcher. She is co-founder and chief executive of KindEarth and cofounder of RESPECTfarms.
Mellon is an investor and owner of Charlemagne Capital and Regent Pacific Group. He argues that environmental impact, attitudes to animal cruelty and the struggle to feed a growing world population will mean there is no alternative to getting our protein from meat grown in laboratories or from plant-based sources.

Lymbery is chief executive of Compassion in World Farming and a visiting professor at the University of Winchester. He is award-winning author of Farmageddon: The True Cost of Meat, Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were and Sixty Harvests Left: How to Reach a Nature-Friendly Future. He has been involved in many high-profile animal welfare reforms including Europe-wide bans on veal crates for calves and barren battery cages for laying hens. He is a winner of the Golden Dove for Peace award for making a significant contribution to the cause of peace.

Discussions are chaired by BBC broadcaster Francine Stock, whose presenting work includes Newsnight and The Money Programme.

This event is part of a series under the banner Pasture to Plate® that looks at the environmental and health benefits of raising food on pasture and getting it to the consumer quickly through a short supply chain.

In association with Compassion in World Farming

Learn more and buy tickets: Will Cultivated Meat Save the World? | Oxford Literary Festival