Meat Institute argues cellular agriculture ban will hurt Florida's food economy

As Florida’s beef farmers treat lab-grown meat as a threat, the nation’s largest meat packing association sees things otherwise.

The North American Meat Association sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders saying a ban on cellular agriculture violates the free market principles the state normally touts.

Mark Dopp, CEO and General Council for the Meat Institute, said consumers should have a choice whether to add cultivated meat to their diet.

“The Meat Institute is agnostic regarding whether Floridians will buy cell cultivated meat products. Perhaps they will; perhaps they will not,” Dopp wrote. “But restricting the sale and manufacture of cell cultivated meat products limits consumer choice and denies Floridians access to food options.”