Title: An act relating to food from cloned animals.

Brief Description: Requiring labeling on food from cloned animals.

Sponsors: Senator Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 1/30/07.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background: Cloning is a new technology that allows replication of an existing donor animal by inserting its genetic code into a mature egg.

Summary of Bill: A cloned animal means an animal produced by replacing all the genetic material in an egg with a mature cell containing the complete genetic code from the donor.

All food products sold in the state derived from cloned animals must be labeled as being derived from cloned animals.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Consumers may have ethical issues relating to consuming meat products from cloned animals and have a right to know so they can choose whether to buy the product.

CON: The federal Food and Drug Administration recently completed a study and found these products to be safe for human consumption. The labeling requirement might have a chilling effect on this new technology.

OTHER: Retailers have no way to know where their meat products come from and whether they might contain meat products from cloned animals. Products are shipped interstate and the food industry thinks it is appropriate to look to the federal government to determine the labeling requirements.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Ken Jacobsen, prime sponsor.

CON: Patrick Connor, Washington Farm Bureau.

OTHER: Carrie Tellefsa, Washington Food Industry; Holly Chisa, NW Grocery Association.