Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that prohibits the sale or production of lab-grown meat in the state. The bill claims to protect Floridians from being forced to eat lab-grown meat and insects by the World Economic Forum, but it mainly aims to limit competition for local meat producers.
Despite the governor’s concerns about lab-grown meat taking over, the industry is still small and not available in the United States or Florida. The new law, known as Senate Bill 1084, bans the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cultivated meat in Florida, with penalties for violators.
Critics argue that the ban is unnecessary and limits consumer choice. The legislation is seen as protectionism for the traditional meat industry, with other states like Alabama also passing similar bans. This move is part of a broader effort to support the local agriculture and meat industry in Florida, but it restricts innovation and competition in the market.
