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USDA Issues Final Rule on Fresh Florida Citrus Shipments

LAKELAND, Fla. (November 16, 2007) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a final rule that allows for the shipment of asymptomatic fresh citrus fruit to non-citrus producing states in the domestic market.

In addition, grove certification will no longer be required for the shipment of Florida fresh fruit. Instead, a qualified sample will be taken from each load and inspected by USDA inspectors at the packinghouse. Fruit that is found to have canker symptoms will not be shipped.

About 10 percent of Florida citrus goes to fresh channels, the remainder is processed into juice.

“We applaud the USDA for making a measured decision on this rule,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Without this type of rule we might lose the entire Florida fresh citrus industry.”

Florida packers will still not be able to ship fresh fruit to commercial citrus producing states such as California, Texas and Arizona. Sparks said Mutual will continue to work to implement a policy that eventually allows fresh Florida citrus to enter commercial citrus producing states.

To view the entire rule, visit http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main and search for Docket No. APHIS-2007-0022.

Founded in 1948 and currently representing nearly 8,000 grower members, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state’s largest citrus grower organization. For more info, please visit www.flcitrusmutual.com.

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