Lab-grown meat can be prohibited.
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Florida has the right to ban artificial meat that isn’t made of animal products, according to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Just like state bans on foie gras and horsemeat, Florida’s categorical ban on lab-grown chicken is not an ingredient regulation that is preempted under the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act,” said the ruling in favor of various state officials and against California’s Upside Foods.
This affirms a previous ruling in a lower court affirming Florida’s 2024 Farm Bill, which bans making, distributing and selling lab-grown meat in the state.
“The PPIA’s Facilities Provision does not preempt SB 1084 because a pure product ban like this one does not regulate the premises, facilities, or operations of any official establishment,” the court opined.
Ahead of appeal, the plaintiff said it was about access.
“Upside is not looking to replace conventional meat, which will always have a place at the table,” Upside CEO Uma Valeti said in a statement to The Associated Press. “All we are asking for is the right to compete, so that Floridians can try our product and see that it is possible to have delicious meat without the need for slaughtering animals.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis has emphatically argued for real meat.
“We stand with agriculture, we stand with the cattle ranchers, we stand with our farmers because we understand it’s important for the backbone of the state,” DeSantis said upon signing the measure two years ago. “Take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere.”
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report. Republican with permission. A.G. Gancarski and Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics also contributed to this report.
The post Steaks are high: Appeals court backs Florida fake meat ban appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
