WASHINGTON – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) confirmed on July 23 that the Department of Defense (DOD) will not go forward with its proposal to look at the applications of lab-grown protein for human consumption. 

The NCBA previously made a statement in June that it was concerned about the DOD sponsoring a research grant that would develop lab-grown meat done by manufacturing company BioMADE.

“The Department of Defense can and should be on the cutting edge of science, and we respect their work to investigate defense applications for new tools and technology,” said Sigrid Johannes, senior director of government affairs at NCBA. “However, there’s a big difference between industrial or defense applications and the food we put in our bodies. US farmers and ranchers are more than capable of meeting the military’s need for high-quality protein.” 

The trade association noted that it continues to work with agriculture partners in Congress to have several amendments in the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations bill, National Defense Authorization Act and Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture Appropriations bill, aimed at preventing lab-grown protein from being part of military meals. 

NCBA stated that it received help from various Congress members on the matter, including Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH), Representative Mary Miller (R-IL), Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE).

“After weeks of engaging with Congress and speaking out against this plan, we are thrilled to have DOD confirmation that lab-grown protein is not on the menu for our nation’s servicemembers,” said Mark Eisele, president of NCBA. “These men and women make the greatest sacrifices every day in service to our country, and they deserve high-quality, nutritious and wholesome food like real beef grown by American farmers and ranchers.”