Proposed rules would threaten fruit sales

Twentyfour bipartisan California members of Congress recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that the government not weaken the safeguards that prevent the shipment of canker-infested citrus from Florida.

The letter, which was sent to USDA acting Secretary Charles F. Conner, states that citrus canker is a serious threat to the California citrus industry.

Most Florida growers produce for the processed (juice) market, which will accept infected fruit. California growers sell produce primarily for the fresh market. Citrus with any evidence of citrus canker is not salable to this market.

The letter was in response to USDA-proposed new rules that would reduce controls on fresh citrus originating in a known cankerinfected produce area. The relaxed rules would also 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," said U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks), one of the bill's signers.