Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law banning the sale of lab-grown meat in Florida, making Florida the first state in the United States to ban cultured meat and joining the global debate about alternative proteins.

Senate Bill (SB) 1084, Section 500. 542 established local regulations regarding electric vehicle charging stations, pest control regulations, licensing and testing, and restrictions on the production, sale, and distribution of Florida-grown meat. The bill defines cultured meat as meat or food products derived from cultured cells.

Governor DeSantis issued a statement saying this bill is an act against the World Economic Forum, the international community, and the network of partners who will coordinate and build the activities.

“Florida is taking action to thwart the World Economic Forum’s goal of forcing the world to eat lab-grown meat and insects, a ‘neglected source of protein.’ A 2021 article by Antoine Hubert on the World Economic Forum website: “Why We Must Give Insects Their Rightful Role in Our Food System.” Hubert is a partner, Executive Vice President, and Chief Strategy Officer of Ÿnsect, a research company that uses
snakes as protein.

Greene Publishing, Inc. contacted the World Economic Forum about the article, and the organization said it was not written by the World Economic Forum or an employee of the organization.

The World Economic Forum says: “The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of the World Economic Forum.” This is also a comment below Hubert’s article.

Florida’s cultured meat law aims to protect the state’s agriculture and industry. In addition to the anti-plant-based meat law, Governor DeSantis said in a press release that the state government will support the meat and agriculture industries by reforming the Farm Bill, protecting rural and community lands, and investing in the agriculture Freedom Budget. The Right to Farm Act protects
farms and agricultural businesses from harm to other species. Rural and community land conservation programs focus on protecting and preserving land; providing simple tools for farmers to learn sustainable practices; and preserving natural resources along with meaningful economic activities.