Alabama became the second state in the nation to ban lab-grown meat after Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill this week prohibiting and providing criminal penalties for anyone who sells, manufactures, or distributes lab-grown meat.
The bill, SB23, was sponsored and proposed by Alabama State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer), who co-chairs the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, and carried in the House by Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens).
“We greatly appreciate Senator Jack Williams and Representative Danny Crawford for working to protect consumers in Alabama,” said Erin Beasley, executive vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. “Cattlemen work hard every day to raise cattle to produce high-quality beef.
“The tireless efforts of Senator Williams and Rep. Crawford this session will ensure Alabamians continue to purchase safe, wholesome, real beef.”
Also referred to as “cultured meat” or “cultivated meat,” lab-grown meat is a meat alternative made from animal stem cells. According to GCF Global, the cells are placed in petri dishes with amino acids and carbohydrates to help the muscle cells multiply and grow.
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“These folks are throwing a couple of animal cells in there with some chemicals and calling it meat. Alabamians want to know what they are eating, and we have no idea what is in this stuff or how it will affect us,” said Williams. “Meat comes from livestock raised by hardworking farmers and ranchers, not from a petri dish grown by scientists. We are protecting our farmers and the integrity of American agriculture.
“Take your fake meat elsewhere. We’re not doing that in Alabama.”
Alabama farmers have played a crucial role in feeding and clothing America for generations.
“This law will strengthen our livestock and poultry industry by preventing lab-cultured cells from being sold in Alabama. To our consumers, the quality and safety of our agricultural products are of the upmost importance, and these lab-grown protein cells can’t be assured to be safe,” said Crawford.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on twitter @Grayson270