Governor Jim Pillen supports new bills to prohibit lab-grown meat in Nebraska, aiming to protect local agriculture and consumers.
Lincoln: So, Governor Jim Pillen is making some waves in Nebraska. He’s backing new legislation to ban lab-grown meat from being sold in the state. He says it’s all about protecting local farmers and ranchers.
During a press conference, Pillen emphasized that agriculture is crucial for Nebraska’s economy. He believes the state should step in to defend consumers and the ag industry. He’s not shy about it either; he wants to be proactive.
He mentioned that if people want lab-grown meat, they can get it elsewhere, but it won’t be on Nebraska grocery shelves. The bill, introduced by State Senator Barry DeKay, targets products made from cells rather than traditional meat processing.
DeKay clarified that plant-based options like veggie burgers aren’t the focus of this bill. Nebraskans can still order lab-grown meat from out of state if they want. Supporters of lab-grown meat argue it’s better for the environment and reduces animal cruelty.
Pillen is ready for pushback, saying some might think his approach is too aggressive. He’s concerned that marketing can mislead the public, using almond milk as an example of how labels can confuse consumers.
He’s also looking to tighten regulations, with potential fines for violators under existing food laws. This move follows his earlier executive order that restricted state agencies from buying lab-grown meat.
In addition to the meat ban, Pillen is pushing for other changes, like merging two state agencies to improve water management. He’s also planning to create a task force to tackle water quality issues in Nebraska.
State Senator Mike Jacobson is working on legislation to protect farmers’ data from being sold to big companies. While these bills are still in the works, it’s clear Pillen is committed to supporting Nebraska’s agricultural roots.
