Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced his support for three new legislative proposals aimed at protecting the state’s agriculture industry, including one that seeks to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meat. Speaking at a Capitol news conference on Tuesday, Pillen emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.
“It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined,” said Pillen, who is Nebraska’s first active farmer to be elected governor in over a century. He stressed that agriculture is the backbone of the state’s economy and that the state has a duty to protect both consumers and its agricultural industry.
A Ban on Lab-Grown Meat
The key proposal, Legislative Bill 246, aims to ban lab-grown meat, also referred to as cultivated-protein food products, from being produced or sold in Nebraska. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara at the governor’s request, defines lab-grown meat as food products that resemble tissue from agricultural animals but are derived from manufacturing cells or non-animal sources, including stem cells grown in vitro.
Pillen made it clear that while he is not opposed to people eating lab-grown meat, they should not expect to find it in Nebraska grocery stores. “If somebody wants to eat that stuff, they’re welcome to it — they’re just not gonna find it in Nebraska grocery stores,” he said.
Legislative Support and Opposition
DeKay clarified that the bill does not target plant-based products like burgers and that Nebraskans would still be able to purchase lab-grown meat from out-of-state sources. However, advocates of cultivated meat argue that it could offer benefits over traditional meat production, including environmental advantages, reduced land and water usage, fewer contamination risks, and the elimination of animal cruelty.
Despite potential opposition, including concerns about the aggressiveness of the bill, Pillen believes that the state must act to protect the integrity of its agricultural industries. He compared the situation to the rise of almond milk, which he believes unfairly competes with the dairy industry. “There is no way. It’s almond nut juice,” Pillen said. “It’s not milk, and it’s a full-blown attack on the milk industry.”
Potential Penalties
Under the proposed legislation, violators could face fines or legal action under the Nebraska Pure Food Act or the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. This ban follows Pillen’s executive order from the previous summer, which prohibited state agencies from procuring lab-grown or alternative meats and required state contractors to avoid discriminating against natural products in favor of lab-grown alternatives.
Additional Legislative Changes
In addition to the lab-grown meat ban, Governor Pillen is pushing for other measures aimed at strengthening Nebraska’s agricultural, water, and natural resources. State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth is expected to introduce a proposal to merge two state agencies—the Department of Environment and Energy with the Department of Natural Resources—to better focus on water and resource management. While the cost savings from this merger are not yet clear, Pillen highlighted that the state will also create a task force focused on improving water quality and managing nitrate levels in local water sources.
State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte is also planning to introduce legislation to protect the data of Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being sold to large corporations.
Although these bills have not yet been formally introduced, they reflect the governor’s commitment to supporting the state’s agricultural industries and natural resources.
Related topics: