It appears that the 2024 sessions of the “Laboratories of Democracy” will be more of an “alt-meat” grinder, according to two legislation that have been submitted to the Arizona Legislature. House Bill 2121, which outlaws the use of animal products cultivated in cells, was introduced by Arizona State Representative David Marshall, R-Snowflake, along with four other sponsors.
Anyone in Arizona who offers to create or sell an animal product that has been cell-cultured for human consumption is prohibited under HB2121. In addition to legal fees and costs, the state may charge violators a civil penalty of no more than $25,000, with a maximum total real damages of $100,000. Furthermore, bill BB2121 permits a civil action for actual damages and declaratory and injunctive remedies to be filed “against the person that violates this section” by a “person or organization whose business is adversely affected by a violation.“
“Any cultured animal tissue produced from in vitro animal cell cultures outside of the organism from which it is derived” is the definition of “cell-cultured animal products” according to the law. “A matter to statewide concern necessary to protect public health,” according to the bill, is HB2121. A second measure, HB2244, has also been submitted, but its sole purpose is to prevent people from being duped by lab-grown beef. It is sponsored by Rep. Huang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley. Under Nguyen’s bill, it is unlawful to knowingly mislead consumers into believing a product that isn’t made from animals or fowl to be meat.
What Are The Benefits Of Lab-Grown Meat?
Venture capitalists supporting cell-based labs are unlikely to be pleased with the legislative conclusions of HB2121. Among the conclusions are the following:
1. Statewide control of animal products derived from cell cultures is essential to safeguard public health.
2. The history, culture, values, and economics of this state are inextricably linked to the cattle ranching sector.
3. One of the five fundamental foundations that have propelled this state’s economy since the days of territorial expansion is cattle.
4. The highest and best use of state trust land, which includes leasing state lands to ranchers for livestock grazing to fund public schools and other public institutions, is threatened by the production and sale of lab-grown, cell-cultured animal products.
5. The history, economics, food heritage, and sovereign interests of this state must all be safeguarded by this legislation.
FDA and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have collaborated to control lab-grown beef since 2019. Both authorities have accepted applications for items developed in laboratories from 2022.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has not yet received a proposal for cell-cultured beef, is not exactly swift to approve food safety. A proposal would have to pass through the new food evaluation process of EFSA, which may be more stringent than the FDA and FSIS processes in the US. To preserve its customs, Italy has outlawed the production of lab-grown meat. The Italian Parliament passed the prohibition by a vote of 159 to 53.
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