Senate Ag committee backs five‑year pause on cell‑cultured protein sales, citing safety and study time

The Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 124, as amended, which would impose a five‑year moratorium on the manufacture, sale, distribution and holding for sale of products containing cell‑cultured protein within South Dakota.

The bill’s sponsor (recorded in testimony as Sen. Vojta) told the committee the amendment tightens definitions and seeks a measured pause to allow more study and coordination with federal regulators. "We're going to ask for a five year moratorium," the sponsor said, and cited federal consultation documents and proprietary manufacturing practices as reasons to delay market entry at the state level.

Proponents included livestock producers and industry groups. John Sharda, who raises hogs and cattle, told the committee he supported a pause to protect the state’s agricultural industry; the South Dakota Stock Growers Association and South Dakota Farmers Union submitted written and oral support. The governor’s office representative said a temporary moratorium reduces litigation risk while allowing time for additional data collection and coordination within existing federal frameworks.

Opponents and industry speakers urged caution about state action that could conflict with federally regulated food‑safety systems. Tay Runyon of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association said his organization was in "soft opposition," praised the sponsor’s amendments and emphasized that the FDA and USDA jointly regulate these products under a 2019 agreement: FDA oversees cell collection and growth while USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service oversees harvesting, processing and labeling.

After discussion the committee approved a do‑pass recommendation on SB 124 as amended by recorded roll call (5 yeas, 1 nay, 1 excused). The bill will move to the floor with the committee's recommendation.