Urgent Request from Florida Citrus Mutual

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry this morning.

Dear FCM Members and Friends:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing our industry’s request to grant a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for two bactericides – oxytetracycline and streptomycin. The bactericides are essential in our fight against HLB.

The EPA is in the final stages of evaluating the request. Now is the time to reach out to your senators and representatives to urge them to contact the EPA and push the request through. These grassroots phone calls are a critical and important part of the process.

On the call utilize the following points:

• identify yourself and history in the industry
• mention the severity of the HLB issue
• ask the office to contact the EPA and request the Section 18 exemption

Please make the call immediately to both senators and your House representative. For the list of House phone numbers, go to http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_al

Senator Marco Rubio’s number is (202) 224-3041, and Senator Bill Nelson’s number is (202) 224-5274.

Thank you for your prompt action on this request.

Regards,

Mike

Michael W. Sparks
Executive Vice President/CEO
Florida Citrus Mutual
411 E Orange Street
Lakeland, Fl 33801-5054
863-682-1111