Said to be Europe’s first ever conference on new protein – including cell and plant-based meats – the New Food Conference next month. It will be held in Berlin on 21 and 22 March. The first day will focus on the latest developments in plant-based protein. The second day will be all about cell-based protein technology, also known as clean meat.

The conference, hosted by ProVeg International, brings together scientists, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and companies working in new protein technology. They will be presented with the latest plant-based and cell-based meat research, hear strategies for industry growth, and gain insights into consumer acceptance.

“The New Food Conference shines a light on technologies that are set to radically shake up and change not only the protein market but the whole food industry,” said Jimmy Pierson, spokesperson for ProVeg International.

“These technologies have a genuine chance of solving the urgent challenges of the global food system in terms of environmental destruction, climate change, antibiotic resistance, and public health. They would appear to be the future of meat, so let’s investigate them more closely.”

The conference takes place against a backdro of the continued rapid growth of veganism, with over 600,000 people having taken part in this year’s Veganuary. Meat reduction is also growing fast, with a third of UK consumers having either deliberately reduced the amount of meat they eat or removed it from their diet entirely, according to a report by Waitrose in November.