State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson teamed up with state Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, and state Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Riverview, last week on legislation to “support Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers; expand options for customers to apply for and renew concealed weapon and other professional licenses; prohibit the manufacture or sale of ‘cultivated meat;expand consumer protections and transparency across a number of regulated industries, and more.”
Simpson weighed in on why he was backing the bills from the two Hillsborough County Republicans.
“This legislation reflects our continued commitment to supporting and protecting Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers, enhancing consumer protection and transparency, and building upon good governance. By supporting our future farmers’ 4-H and FFA activities, banning ‘cultivated meat,’ and expanding safeguards for agricultural producers and consumers, we aim to promote a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Florida,” said Simpson.
“As a retired Army Green Beret, I know the complexities of today’s hyper competitive world and it is imperative we stabilize, revitalize and grow agriculture to ensure Florida’s footprint on the world stage. I am honored to work with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Rep Danny Alvarez to protect framers, ranchers and growers that create this $180 billion economic enterprise,” said Collins who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Florida’s agriculture industry is not only the backbone of our economy – contributing over $180 billion annually and helping to employ more than 2.5 million people – it is critical to our food security and the future prosperity of our state and nation. I’m proud to stand with Florida’s farmers and ranchers with this important legislation that supports and defends their way of life,” said Alvarez.
Simpson’s office offered the following information on the proposals:
The legislation introduces a number of 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.
Combatting 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
Providing Florida school districts with the ability to approve 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, if they choose to receive one.
Supporting Florida’s Consumers
Protecting Florida consumers by making it unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell or deliver, hold, or offer for sale “cultivated meat” for human consumption.
Providing increased transparency and anti-fraud protections into Florida’s charitable organizations, safeguarding consumers’ household goods while being transported by interstate movers, and requiring pest control companies to provide customers with documentation for all wood-destroying organism inspection/treatments.
