Missouri passes legislation that prohibits products not derived from livestock to be marketed as meat

Missouri lawmakers passed legislation on May 17 that prohibits a product not derived from harvested livestock to be marketed as meat. The language prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that was not derived from harvested livestock. The legislation comes at a time when laboratory-grown meat is being debated throughout the country and in Washington. D.C. A press release from the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association notes that Missouri became the first state to address the issue with legislation, sending a signal to other states to follow suit. Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) Executive Vice President Mike Deering expects other state cattle organizations to lead legislation in their respective states. “This isn’t a Missouri issue. This is about protecting the integrity of the products that farm and ranch families throughout the country work hard to raise each and every day,” said Deering. The measure is waiting for Gov. Eric Greitens’ signature before becoming law. — WLJ