Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) recently reported its efforts and priorities for the next Florida legislative session.
As in past years, much of FCM’s focus will be on funding programs (Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Citrus Research and Field Trial and New Varieties Development and Management Corp.) critical to solving HLB and the marketing efforts to continue movement of 100% premium Florida orange juice.
In addition to appropriations requests, FCM will be working with the legislature to update Florida Statutes Chapter 601, the Florida Citrus Code. Primary among the updates being contemplated in the revisions will be the redistricting of the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) to ensure that all growing areas of the state are fairly represented. It is anticipated that the current three citrus districts will be expanded to six, and the FCC will be expanded from the current nine seats to 11, comprised of a grower from each of the six districts, three processor representatives, a packer representative from the Indian River production area and one large grower representative.
Additionally, in an effort to ensure maximum transparency on the expenditure of funds for HLB research, 601 will be amended to require periodic reports be made to the Florida Citrus Commission on the projects being funded from the Florida State Treasury on citrus production research. These reports will include information on the projects funded as well as their status and findings. Language will also be included in the 601 revisions to ensure Florida growers have first right of refusal on any new citrus variety developed as a result of research funded with state dollars and maintain exclusive rights to these varieties for a certain period.
The revisions to 601 as well as FCM’s research and marketing funding requests will be integral to continuing to position the Florida citrus industry for success.
Source: Florida Citrus Mutual’s Triangle newsletter
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