South Dakota Passes Law Prohibiting Use of State Funds for Cell-Based Meat Production, Sale
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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed into a law a bill that prohibits the award or use of state funds for the research, production, promotion, sale, or distribution of cell-cultured protein.
House Bill 1118, originally sponsored by Representative Jana Hunt (R-28A) and Senator Lauren Nelson (R-18), defines "cell-cultured protein" as a product intended for use as human food, made wholly or in part from any cell culture or the DNA of a host animal, and grown or cultivated outside a live animal.
The legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2025. It was supported by lobbyist group the Beef Initiative.
South Dakota joins Florida and Alabama in the list of states with legislation targeting cell-based meat. While the South Dakota bill only limits the use of state funds for the development or sale of lab-grown protein, both Florida and Alabama have been more aggressive, totally banning the production or sale of cell-cultured meat statewide.
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