Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will expand legal protections for agricultural operations. Passed by both the Florida House and Senate, the bill (SB 88) expands the state’s 1979 “Right to Farm” law and will shield the agriculture industry from what they consider nuisance lawsuits.
It prohibits so-called nuisance lawsuits filed by people who do not own property within one-half mile of the alleged violations. Critics argue that the bill will limit lawsuits over the potential health impacts from things like burning sugar cane.
WGCU’s Mike Kiniry spoke with Deborah Foote, Acting Chapter Director for Sierra Club Florida who opposes the legislation, and Gene Lollis, President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association who supports it.
Video of sugar burn smoke, courtesy Sierra Club Florida.