Gov. Pillen and Dept. of Ag Gathered with producers to discuss measures Addressing Lab-Grown Meat

Nebraska governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director (NDA) Sherry Vinton were joined by livestock producers in West Point on Thursday, August 29.

The topic at hand was the three initiatives that he, along Vinton, would be undertaking now and in the future. They are looking at protecting both consumers and the Nebraska's livestock industry from lab-grown meat.

Lab-grown meat is defined as having tissue originating from an agricultural food animal but that, in lieu of being derived from traditional meat processing, is derived from manufacturing cells in a controlled environment. According to The European Food Information Council (EUFIC), which describes itself as, "A consumer-oriented non-profit organization, founded to make the science behind food and health more accessible and easier to understand among the public," the production process can be broken down into four steps:

1. A sample of stem cells is taken from a live animal. Stems cells are cells that can develop into other specialised types of cells found in the body, for example, blood, liver or muscle cells.

2. The stem cells are put in large tanks called bioreactors, containing culture media that recreate a similar environment to that which the cells would find in the animal's body and provides them with the nutrients they need to multiply.

3. The culture media is changed so that stem cells can differentiate into the three main components of meat: muscle, fat, and connective tissue.

4. These cells are separated and arranged to "build" the type of meat that is being produced. This is called scaffolding. A scaffold is an edible material that supports the organization of meat cells into the desired shape, for example, a steak, or mincemeat. The scaffold does more than just hold cells together. It also carries nutrients and helps them differentiate even further. In general, complex structures like steaks are more challenging to reproduce than burgers.

Standing before a group of producers at Oak Barn Beef in West Point, the Governor signed an executive order creating strict guidelines when it comes to state agencies and its contractors from obtaining lab-grown meat, saying. "Nebraska farmers and ranchers, like those here today, are committed to producing the best food products anywhere. We feed the world and we save the planet more effectively and more efficiently than anybody else and I will defend those practices with my last breath."

A public hearing has been scheduled Oct. 8, on those draft regulations.

"Nebraska consumers want to know and deserve to know that what they are purchasing is safe, wholesome meat and not a lab grown product," said NDA Director Sherry Vinton.

Additionally, the Governor has directed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to initiate a rulemaking process to make sure that any lab-grown meat products sold in stores are properly labeled and are not marketed next to natural meat on the same shelves.

 "Nebraska consumers want to know and deserve to know that what they are purchasing is safe, wholesome meat and not a lab grown product," said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. A public hearing has been scheduled Oct. 8, on those draft regulations.

 Hannah Klitz owns Oak Barn Beef with her husband Eric. She said as a producer and retailer, she knows how important it is to educate consumers about where their food comes from.  

 "We are 5th generation cattle producers and business owners with customers across Nebraska and in 49 other states, so transparency is something we value," said Klitz. "Shoppers want to know that they are getting the best, naturally raised product available. That transparency is essential to maintaining our reputation in the marketplace and meeting consumer expectations."

 Cattle producer Jeanne Reigle said no one works harder to ensure the best treatment of their livestock and their food products, than Nebraska's farm families.

 "Nebraska ranchers engage in best practices when it comes to raising their animals. Our focus is on providing top quality products that are favored by consumers here and around the world," said Reigle. "We need to support our state's top economic driver – agriculture. The uncertainties surrounding lab-grown meat need to be examined more closely and now is the time to put some guardrails in place, so people know what they are buying and consuming." 

 In addition to the Governor's signed executive order and the drafting of rules and regulations through NDA, Governor Pillen announced that in the upcoming legislative session he would be working with senators to draft legislation banning lab-grown meat in Nebraska.