USDA Proposes Revised Regulations for Florida Citrus Crossing State Lines
June 22, 2007
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it is now accepting comments on a proposed amendment to its current Florida citrus canker regulations. The amendment focuses on sampling each lot of citrus at the packinghouse to ensure the fruit is disease free, instead of the pre-harvest grove inspections required since August 1, 2006. Fruit shipped within Florida would not require sampling and inspection as described in the proposed rule. Florida citrus exported to international markets must still meet all import requirements of the destination county. This proposed rule was published in the June 21 Federal Register and comments must be received on or before July 23. For more information on citrus canker, please go to www.aphis.usda.gov and click on the citrus canker hot issues link.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
