USDA imposes quarantine on Florida citrus
USDA imposes quarantine on Florida citrus
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced June 6 that a statewide quarantine will be imposed next season on the shipments of fresh Florida citrus fruit to other citrus-producing states.
The quarantine will allow the continued shipment of fresh fruit to non-citrus-producing states and other countries under certain restrictions. The rules governing the quarantine are expected to be published by the end of this summer.
While this quarantine may prove devastating for some Florida citrus companies whose primary markets are other citrus- producing states, the Florida citrus industry recognizes the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns' efforts to find a solution to the challenges presented by citrus canker, according to a statement issued by Florida Citrus Mutual.
In the statement, Florida Citrus Mutual, based in Lakeland, said that it also recognizes Florida Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services Charlie Bronson for his efforts on this issue and his commitment to finding solutions to re-open these markets in future seasons.
"Secretary Johanns has shown tremendous support for the Florida citrus industry during his tenure with the USDA," Jay Clark, Florida Citrus Mutual interim executive vice president and chief executive officer, said in the statement. "We are confident that the USDA will continue to seek solutions to allow us to once again ship to all of our trade partners."
Citrus-producing states currently represent about 5 percent of Florida's domestic fresh fruit market, and approximately 2.5 percent of the overall fresh fruit market, according to Mutual.
The quarantine will allow the continued shipment of fresh fruit to non-citrus-producing states and other countries under certain restrictions. The rules governing the quarantine are expected to be published by the end of this summer.
While this quarantine may prove devastating for some Florida citrus companies whose primary markets are other citrus- producing states, the Florida citrus industry recognizes the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns' efforts to find a solution to the challenges presented by citrus canker, according to a statement issued by Florida Citrus Mutual.
In the statement, Florida Citrus Mutual, based in Lakeland, said that it also recognizes Florida Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services Charlie Bronson for his efforts on this issue and his commitment to finding solutions to re-open these markets in future seasons.
"Secretary Johanns has shown tremendous support for the Florida citrus industry during his tenure with the USDA," Jay Clark, Florida Citrus Mutual interim executive vice president and chief executive officer, said in the statement. "We are confident that the USDA will continue to seek solutions to allow us to once again ship to all of our trade partners."
Citrus-producing states currently represent about 5 percent of Florida's domestic fresh fruit market, and approximately 2.5 percent of the overall fresh fruit market, according to Mutual.