Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing SB 1084, which supports Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers; expands options for customers to apply for and renew concealed weapon and other professional licenses; prohibits the sale of lab-grown meat; expands consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries, and more.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing SB 1084, which supports Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers; expands options for customers to apply for and renew concealed weapon and other professional licenses; prohibits the sale of lab-grown meat; expands consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries, and more.

“Food security is national security, and we all have a responsibility to ensure Floridians have access to a safe, affordable, and abundant food supply. This legislation is a reflection of our continued commitment to supporting and protecting Florida's farmers, ranchers, and growers and enhancing consumer protection and transparency,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, Senator Jay Collins, and Representative Danny Alvarez, Florida is supporting our future farmers’ 4-H and FFA activities, prohibiting the sale of lab-grown meat, and expanding safeguards for agricultural producers and consumers – ultimately creating a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Florida.”

The legislation introduces several proposals across the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Protecting Agricultural Producers and Florida’s Food Supply

• Protecting Florida's food and fiber production by providing criminal penalties for trespassing on commercial agricultural property with the intent to commit a crime.
• Combating saw palmetto berry theft by prohibiting the harvest, transport, processing, or purchase of saw palmetto berries without a valid permit and permission from landowners.

Supporting Florida’s Future Farmers

• Requiring Florida school districts to recognize 4-H and FFA related activities as excused absences.

Increasing Customer Convenience

• Making it more convenient for Floridians to renew and replace a variety of professional licenses and concealed weapon licenses.

Supporting Florida’s Consumers

• Protecting Florida consumers by prohibiting the manufacture for sale of lab-grown meat in Florida.
• Providing increased transparency and anti-fraud protections into Florida’s charitable organizations, safeguarding consumers’ household goods while being transported by intrastate movers, and requiring pest control companies to provide customers with documentation for all wood-destroying organism inspections/treatments.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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