East Volusia News

HARDEE COUNTY, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1084 to prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in the state of Florida. The move comes as Florida takes a stand against the World Economic Forum's push for lab-grown meat consumption and emphasizes the importance of supporting local agriculture.

Governor DeSantis expressed his firm stance against the global trend towards lab-grown meat, stating, “Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals.” The legislation is a part of the state's efforts to invest in and protect the traditional agriculture industry, particularly the production of real Florida beef.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson echoed Governor DeSantis's sentiments, applauding the ban on lab-grown meat and emphasizing the need to safeguard American agriculture. Simpson stated, “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.”

In addition to the ban on lab-grown meat, Florida has implemented various measures to support its agricultural sector, including modernizing the Right to Farm Act, providing tax exemptions for agricultural materials, and investing in programs to protect farmland. The state's commitment to its farmers and ranchers is further demonstrated through initiatives like the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and The Framework for Freedom Budget, which have injected billions of dollars into the agricultural industry.

Furthermore, Governor DeSantis recently allocated $6 million to Hardee County through the Job Growth Grant Fund to boost economic development in the region. The investment aims to create jobs, enhance infrastructure, and attract new businesses to the area, reinforcing Florida's dedication to fostering growth and prosperity within its agricultural communities.