Pillen signs bill banning lab-grown meat in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen signed a bill Tuesday prohibiting lab-grown meat in Nebraska.

“When I stood in front of a group of producers and ag business owners yesterday and announced my intention to sign this legislation, I was met with applause,” Pillen said in a statement. “We need to be willing to protect and preserve our state’s vital ag industry as well as our consumers. These products are grown from harvested cells in bioreactor machines. The health consequences are unknown and so are the long-term effects to consumers.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska Gov. Pillen bars state agencies from obtaining lab-grown meat

Legislative Bill 246 was sponsored by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara.

It bans the production, sale, promotion and distribution of lab-grown meat in the Cornhusker State.

It passed the Legislature earlier this month on a 38-11 vote.