Nebraska governor says no to lab-grown meat
If Gov. Jim Pillen has his way, Nebraska legislators will pass a law banning the sale of “lab-grown meat” — the industry prefers the term cultivated meat — during its next session. Florida and Alabama enacted state bans on the alternative meat this year, and Iowa has barred school districts and publicly funded colleges from buying the meat.
California quarantines three dairy farms hit by bird flu outbreaks
The H5N1 avian flu virus infected three dairy herds in California’s Central Valley, the first time the disease has been confirmed in the nation’s largest milk-producing state, officials said. California was the first new state to be hit by the disease since Oklahoma reported cases on July 11.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Colorado relocates wolf pack: State wildlife officials say they are relocating the Copper Creek wolf pack that was released early this year in north-central Colorado because of complaints about attacks on livestock; voters approved the reintroduction of gray wolves in 2020. (Colorado Newsline)
Namibia culls wildlife: Amid drought, the government of Namibia said it would allow professional hunters to kill more than 700 animals, including elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests, with some of the meat to be distributed to starving rural residents. (Deutsche Welle)
Crockett is Harris co-chair: First-term Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, was appointed a national co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. (Dallas Morning News)
Vilsack says maybe: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack doesn’t rule out another term at USDA but it’s attached to two big “ifs” — Democrat Kamala Harris winning the presidency and asking Vilsack to stay. (Radio Iowa)
USDA expands shellfish insurance: The shellfish insurance program for container-grown oysters will be available in an additional 27 counties in Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and North Carolina in 2025, said the Risk Management Agency. (USDA)