We need your help. BigAg is trying to silence us and has slipped in an anti-free speech “gag law” into the Florida Farm Bill to punish all critics of pesticides, BigAg, and ultra-processed food. Protect our right to speak, warn and advocate for safe food and health before agribusiness silences us all.
On February 10th, the Florida Senate removed the food gag law (SB 290 Section 48) from the Senate version of the Florida Farm Bill. Now we need to have it removed in the Florida House as well.
The Gag Law:
Florida’s new “Gag Law” (Section 47 of HB 433) will silence doctors, journalists, scientists, influencers, and anyone nationwide who criticizes pesticides, farming, or ultra-processed foods.
This law gives agribusiness and pesticide manufacturers the right to sue anyone who criticizes Florida’s farming practices or products, claiming “disparagement.”
Bill text – HB 433 – Section 47
Why this matters:
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Establishes a dangerous free speech precedent that can extend to other issues.
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Silences pesticide critics just when our voices need to be loudest to stop federal and national pesticide liability shield legislation.
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Expands “food libel” laws beyond perishable foods to processed foods, grains, pesticides and farming practices.
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Allows corporations to recover legal fees when they sue us and lose. We would not be able to recover legal fees even if we win, and the lawsuits would be too costly to take on. Critics will be shut up or bankrupted.
Take action now:
Please contact the following members of the FL House State Affairs Committee. Ask them to protect free speech and STRIKE SECTION 47 from HB 433.
Sample script (feel free to make it your own):
Hello, my name is ___, and I’m calling to urge the Representative to oppose HB 433 unless Section 47 is removed. This provision creates a dangerous “gag law” that allows powerful companies to sue and silence critics for speaking truthfully about food, farming, and public health. It sets a chilling precedent that undermines free speech, scientific debate, and consumer transparency. No corporation should be able to bankrupt doctors, journalists, or citizens for raising legitimate concerns. Please protect free speech and either strike Section 47 or vote NO on HB 433.
To Call: Florida State Affairs Committee
Rep Will Robinson (850) 717-5071
Rep Jim Mooney (850) 717-5120
Rep Griff Griffitts (850) 717-5006
Rep Fabian Basabe (850) 717-5106
Rep Omar Blanco (850) 717-5115
Rep Adam Botana (850) 717-5080
Rep Nathan Boyles (850) 717-5003
Rep Linda Chaney (850) 717-5061
Rep Nan Cobb (850) 717-5026
Rep Wyman Duggan (850) 717-5012
Rep Richard Gentry (850) 717-5027
Rep Mike Giallombardo (850) 717-5079
Rep Karen Gonzalez Pittman (850) 717-5065
Rep Jeff Holcomb (850) 717-5053
Rep Berny Jacques (850) 717-5059
Rep Randall Maggard (850) 717-5054
Rep Fiona McFarland (850) 717-5073
Rep Michael Owen (850) 717-5070
Rep Meg Weinberger (850) 717-5094
Democrats
Rep Anna Eskamani (850) 717-5042
Rep Lindsay Cross (850) 717-5060
Rep Ashley Gantt (850) 717-5109
Rep Angela Nixon (850) 717-5013
Rep Leonard Spencer (850) 717-5045
Rep Debra Tendrich (850) 717-5089
Rep RaShon Young (850) 717-5040
THANK YOU!!
Kelly
