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Senate committee hears broad support for bill to require clear labeling of cell-cultured protein
Summary
The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony in favor of House Bill 11 51, which would prohibit mislabeling cell-cultured protein as meat and require clearer labeling so consumers can distinguish lab-grown products from conventionally raised meat.
The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony in favor of House Bill 11 51, a bill that would prohibit mislabeling or misbranding of cell-cultured protein as meat.
Representative Mike Schatz, sponsor on the bill, told the committee: "This bill will prohibit the mislabeling and misbranding of cell cultured protein or fake meat." He framed the measure as protecting North Dakota's livestock industry and consumer information.
A broad range of witnesses testified in support. Jaylee Roller told the committee, "At its core, house bill 11 51 is about informed consent. People have the right to know whether meat products they are buying are from traditional livestock or manmade using cell cultivation." Other supporters included high-school-aged testifiers who said they came through a homeschool group, the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the North Dakota Stockmen's Association, North Dakota Farmers Union and the North Dakota Stockman's Association. Julie Ellingson of the Stockman's Association urged the committee to strengthen definitions and labeling clarity; she also provided written suggestions to the committee.
Testimony emphasized transparency for consumers and a level playing field for producers. Rachel Gross of the North Dakota Farm Bureau said the bill "ensures that producers and the animal agriculture industry has the opportunity to differentiate their product" and encouraged the committee to proceed while noting litigation in other states. Several youth speakers and other witnesses raised safety and dietary concerns and urged the committee to require distinct labeling.
Committee members and witnesses discussed prior state statutes and litigation in other states. Members asked staff to fix drafting issues and check cross-references in the Century Code; the transcript records that the committee planned to have an intern and legislative counsel prepare clarifying amendments. The hearing closed with committee leadership stating that the intern would craft amendments and the committee likely would add them and pass the bill out; no formal committee vote on the final amended bill appears in the transcript excerpt.
The record shows no witnesses who offered formal opposition during the hearing portion captured in the transcript; several organizations registered support. Committee staff flagged spelling and definition clarifications to be addressed before the bill is moved forward.
