USDA issues final rule of Florida citrus

USDA issues final rule of Florida citrus The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Friday issued a final rule on interstate shipments of Florida citrus that shifts requirements for pre-shipment inspections from grove inspections to packinghouse inspections.
   The citrus industry has been anxiously awaiting the new rule so the changes could be in place before the critical holiday shipping season hits full swing.
   A statement from the USDA said APHIS based the decision on a pest risk analysis. Officials said the packinghouse inspections for citrus canker inspections were just as effective in trials as the grove inspections.
   “This regulatory change will enable Florida growers to maintain, and possibly increase, the amount of fresh citrus shipped to eligible states while providing the same level of protection against the spread of citrus canker,” said Bruce Knight, under secretary for USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area
   The rule applies to shipments of Florida citrus headed for states that do not produce citrus. APHIS will continue its prohibition against citrus shipments to other citrus-producing states and territories.