The law against "laboratory meat," as it was dubbed by the Italian press, was supported by 159 members of the lower house of the Italian parliament, while 53 were against it.
As the upper house of the Italian parliament, the Senate, has already approved the initiative, it comes into force.
The law, initiated by Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lolobriga and Minister of Health Orazio Scillaci, prohibits the production, consumption and promotion of "food and feed grown from cell cultures."
Violation of the law is punishable by a fine of up to 150,000 euros and the forced closure of companies found guilty of violation. They may also be banned from receiving state funding for up to three years.
The right-wing Italian government presented the bill as a step to protect national producers and traditions.
Animal welfare groups and associations that support the development of "cellular" agricultural products opposed the bill, arguing that the law would undermine the progress of Italian researchers in this area.
Italy's center-left and left-wing opposition pointed out that such a unilateral ban - the first in Europe - contradicts EU agricultural policy and could lead to problems if the EU regulates the issue of synthetic food.
PigUA.info based on materials of bizagro.com.ua