Florida Senate - 2009 (NP) SR 2820 By Senator Dean 3-04557-09 20092820__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the value of animal 3 agribusiness to the State of Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, Florida’s food production animal agribusiness is 6 an important part of Florida agriculture and Florida’s 7 sustainable future, and 8 WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers have been caretakers of food 9 production animals throughout Florida’s history, and 10 WHEREAS, the market value of Florida poultry, beef, dairy, 11 goat, and sheep animal agribusiness products sold in 2007 was 12 approximately $1.3 billion, contributing significantly to 13 Florida’s food supply, consumer products, and its value-added 14 impacts, and 15 WHEREAS, producing food locally for Florida’s population 16 contains food costs, reduces energy usage, promotes 17 sustainability, and provides employment for Floridians, and 18 WHEREAS, the food production animal agribusiness sector is 19 important to conserving Florida’s green space, and 20 WHEREAS, Florida’s food production animal agribusiness 21 producers are committed to the safety of the food supply, and 22 WHEREAS, Florida agriculture is under extreme pressure from 23 development, environmental regulations, production costs, 24 taxation, drought, and urban encroachment, NOW, THEREFORE, 25 26 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 27 28 That the members of the Senate value the state’s food 29 production animal agribusiness, wish to protect the long-term 30 viability and sustainability of the industry in Florida, are 31 committed to food safety, and believe food production animal 32 agribusiness has an important place in Florida’s history and 33 future.