Cellular agriculture presents a significant global opportunity to diversify food production while complementing existing traditional production approaches. Cellular agriculture is underpinned by engineering biology as a platform technology to create food products and materials for numerous sectors in new and sustainable ways.  

  

Led by Ontario Genomics and developed and written in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, this report features extensive stakeholder input and an economic analysis, providing critical considerations for Canada's emerging cellular agriculture industry.  

 

Based on stakeholder consultations, as well as a review of literature and publicly available information, the report identifies three inter-connected actionable opportunities for Canada to capitalize on this rapidly expanding and high potential global market expected to approach US$100 billion in the next decade.  

 

To achieve success, Canada must:

1. Develop a National Vision and Strategy for a Canadian Cellular Agriculture Industry in the Near Term. This is foundational to enable a growing domestic ecosystem and fully realize the benefits presented by this industry. An Outcomes-driven national vision and strategy should be developed collaboratively, be inclusive of stakeholder requirements and include a clear plan for implementation in the short-, medium- and long-term. 

2. Establish a Clear and Transparent Regulatory Framework for Cellular Agriculture Products in Canada. Canada is encouraged to proactively develop an agile, iterative, and innovative regulatory framework by building on existing processes to support the evaluation and approval of cellular agriculture products in a timely manner, in alignment with Canada’s current rigorous regulatory process and excellent food safety standards. 

3. Provide Supporting Mechanisms for Research and Commercial Development. Incentivization, through public and private investment and partnerships, and outcomes-driven networks, is critical for a thriving domestic cellular agriculture industry, with infrastructure support for research and development, training, company creation, scale-up and growth, leading to made-in-Canada product commercialization. 

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By taking action on the priorities outlined in this report, Canada has an opportunity to diversify and grow its food and agriculture sector, become a leader in the new global landscape, meet sustainability and food security goals, and reap the benefits from new global economic markets.