Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and state senators are introducing legislation to protect consumers, grow agriculture and defend agriculture. One of those efforts is to keep lab-grown meat from being manufactured, distributed or sold in Nebraska.
Sen. Barry DeKay introduced a bill that defines “cultivated food protein” and requires those products to be labeled “adulterated food products” under the Pure Food Act, a release said.
“There are clear, recognized benefits of meat as a source of protein. It is uncertain whether manufactured meat protein is a substitute for natural meat sources as essential dietary needs. I question elevating lab meat to a level of equivalency with real meat,“ DeKay explained.
Unless there are clear labeling rules that adequately disclose that cultured meat is not real meat, DeKay said its sale allows lab meats to unfairly benefit from industry investments in marketing and production.
“What’s more, this industry is supported by organizations that want to do away with animal production in Nebraska and the United States,” DeKay added. “This is part of the process that we’re going to go through to make sure our way of life, our livestock, and our product that we can put on the dinner table stays intact going forward.”
As the first farmer-governor in more than 100 years, Pillen said he knows how important it is that agriculturists take steps to preserve their way of life, for the benefit of those who consume their products.
“We feed the world and save the planet,” Pillen said. “It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined. Our job is to protect consumers, grow agriculture and defend agriculture. Most of us want government out of our hair, but there are places where government needs to step in and protect us.”
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