Alessandro Ford, POLITICO's agriculture reporter known for his insights into European food politics, discusses how the Mediterranean diet has become a political battleground in Europe amidst rising gastro-nationalism. Topics include Italy’s resistance to EU dietary regulations and the cultural identity tied to traditional foods. Pieter Haeck, a tech reporter at POLITICO, highlights the challenges faced by European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen in regulating Big Tech, especially with rising online meddling and Elon Musk's influence on EU policies.

Join agriculture reporter Alessandro Ford as he dives into the heated debate over lab-grown meat in Europe. He reveals how this innovation threatens traditional farming and subsidies within the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The conversation addresses Italy's cultural resistance to synthetic foods and the potential economic impacts on rural communities. Ford also explores the regulatory hurdles faced by lab-grown meat, discussing its implications for national identity and the future of farming.