News

Decision on fake meat oversight not expected anytime soon

A state cattlemen’s association director in favor of USDA oversight of fake meat does not expect a decision on regulations anytime soon.

Ashley Kohls in Minnesota says she’s been asking D.C. lobbyists about timing now that USDA and the FDA have held multiple listening sessions on lab-grown meat.

“When is this going to happen?  Is it going to be in this legislative session or the next?  There really is nobody in a hurry to get this done, unfortunately.”

She tells Brownfield there will probably be at least one more public hearing.

“They haven’t set a date for that yet, but we’re anticipating that to happen just because it’s a very polarizing issue with people (who have) very strong feelings on both sides.  So we don’t really have a timeline.”

Kohls supports the USDA having jurisdiction of cell-cultured meat products because she says the Department would provide more clarity on labels and consistency during the inspection process.