At a news conference at the Hardee County Cattleman’s Arena, Wednesday Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in Florida.
Joined by Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson, DeSantis touted Florida’s increased meat production.
“Our administration will continue to focus on investing in our local farmers and ranchers, and we will save our beef,” DeSantis said.
According to DeSantis, the bill was a step against the World Economic Forum’s effort to promote lab-grown meat and insects as alternative sources of protein.
“Florida is taking a tremendous step in the right direction by signing first-in-the-nation legislation banning lab-grown meat. We must protect our incredible farmers and the integrity of American agriculture. Lab-grown meat is a disgraceful attempt to undermine our proud traditions and prosperity, and is in direct opposition to authentic agriculture,” Simpson said.
According to the governor’s office, Florida has taken action to support the state’s agriculture and meat industry by:
- Modernizing Florida’s Right to Farm Act to protect reasonable agricultural activities from frivolous lawsuits.
- Signing legislation to ensure that agri-tourism operators qualify for protection against property tax assessments when operating on agricultural lands.
- Simplifying the steps for Florida Farmers to receive sales tax exemptions for agricultural materials.
- Reestablishing funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program in 2022 at $300 million.
- Protecting through that program over 36,000 acres of farmland.
- Investing more than $2.8 billion into Florida’s agricultural industry in The Framework for Freedom Budget.
DeSantis has been making the rounds across the state touting budget items and signing bills.
This week, he announced investments in services for those with developmental disabilities and gave details on the month-long Freedom Summer sales tax holiday that begins July 1.