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Montana hearing on HB 401 considers ban on lab‑grown meat; agencies flag enforcement questions
Summary
The House Agriculture Committee heard testimony on House Bill 401, which would ban manufacture, sale and distribution of cell‑cultured (lab‑grown) meat in Montana. Supporters cited consumer safety and protection for ranchers; agency witnesses said enforcement, testing and fiscal impacts are unclear.
The Montana House Agriculture Committee heard testimony on House Bill 401, a proposal to ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of cell‑cultured (lab‑grown) meat in the state.
Sponsor Representative Braxton Mitchell of House District 5 told the committee, "This bill would ban the sale, manufacture for sale, and distribution of lab grown meat in the state of Montana," saying he introduced the measure to protect public health and "traditional food traditions, farmers and ranchers." Mitchell told members the bill does not affect plant‑based meat products.
The bill drew broad support from agricultural and consumer groups at the hearing. Karli Johnson of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation said, "Our greatest concern around cell cultured protein is really about the safety of our customers," adding that consumer confusion could harm family farms. Eric Summerfeld…
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