In addition to the possibility of spreading canker beyond Florida, the relaxed rules would hamper America’s ability to compete internationally in fresh citrus as foreign countries would likely restrict imports of California citrus.“Lemons and Valencia oranges, two of Ventura County’s top 10 crops, accounted for more than $200 million of the county’s economy in 2006,” Gallegly said. “Lemons are also a multi-million-dollar crop in Santa Barbara County. Clearly, the proposed USDA rule would have a significant impact in my district and across California.”The letter calls on the USDA to postpone implementing the rule to allow “stakeholders and the scientific community to further review and comment on the supporting documents behind this rule,” and to ensure the rule addresses the concerns of Southwestern citrus growers.
Gallegly leads call to protect California citrus
October 12, 2007
Santa Paula News
Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA) spearheaded a letter signed by 24 bipartisan California members of Congress that calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture not to weaken the safeguards that prevent the shipment of canker-infested citrus from Florida.
Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA) spearheaded a letter signed by 24 bipartisan California members of Congress that calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture not to weaken the safeguards that prevent the shipment of canker-infested citrus from Florida.The letter, sent to USDA Acting Secretary Charles F. Conner on Wednesday, notes:“Citrus canker is an extremely serious threat to the California citrus industry. The vast majority of growers in Florida produce for the processed (juice) market. They are able to sell their product, despite the prevalence of citrus canker throughout Florida, to producers of processed citrus. However, growers in states such as California, Arizona and Texas produce primarily for the fresh market. Citrus with any evidence of citrus canker is not saleable to this market. As a result, if canker were to establish itself in these states, their citrus industry would be largely wiped out.”Gallegly acted when the USDA proposed to amend regulations for the shipment of fresh oranges and other citrus from Florida. The new rules would significantly reduce the controls on fresh citrus originating in a known canker-infected produce area.