USDA approves trade help for Florida avocado growers

USDA approves trade help for Florida avocado growers    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has approved trade adjustment assistance for a group of Florida avocado growers.
   Starting on Jan. 2, these growers will be eligible to apply for fiscal 2006 benefits during an application period ending April 3.
   Eligible producers will receive technical help provided by the USDA’s Extension Service at no cost and may receive an adjustment assistance payment, if certain criteria are met.
   The USDA found that during its investigation an increase in imports of avocados contributed significantly to a decline in Florida producer prices by 36.1 percent during June 2004 through May 2005, when compared with the previous 5-year average.