Oranges - Maturity Standards

 

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

20ER13-1Oranges - Maturity Standards

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: 120.54(4)(b), Florida Statutes, states that those rules pertaining to perishable agricultural commodities shall be included in the definition of rules relating to the public health, safety, or welfare.

Due to adverse growing conditions during September and October significant amounts of the Florida orange crop in the 2013-2014 season will have an acid content below the 0.4 minimum established in rule. Strict enforcement of the anhydrous acid content requirements, which were adopted largely to control abuse of plant growth regulators which are no longer in use, could cause economic waste by allowing good and safe food to be ruled immature.

After taking testimony and discussing the matter at a public meeting and hearing in Bartow, Florida on October 23, 2013, the Florida Citrus Commission found that there exist unusual growing conditions which could cause a substantial portion of the orange crop to fail minimum acid requirements. They voted unanimously to adopt Emergency Rule 20ER13-1, adjusting the percentage of anhydrous citric acid requirement for oranges for fresh and processed use from .40 to .36, from October 28 up to and including July 31, 2014.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: Adequate notice procedures were used by the Department of Citrus to inform the public and the Florida citrus industry of the pending adoption of Emergency Rule 20ER13-1 adjusting the percentage of anhydrous citric acid requirements for oranges, in that notice was made via email of the emergency rulemaking to take place at the October 23, 2013 meeting on October 21, 2013 to members of the Florida Citrus Commission, all industry organizations, the Florida Press Corps and other interested persons.

SUMMARY: Emergency rule 20ER13-1 adjusts the percentage of anhydrous citric acid requirement for oranges from .40 to .36 from October 28, 2013 up to and including July 31, 2014.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Alice P. Wiggins, Administrative Assistant, Legal Department, Florida Department of Citrus, P O Box 9010, Bartow, Florida 33831-9010 or [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

20ER13-1 (20-53.001) Maturity Standards

(1) No change to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g)

(f) During the period beginning October 28, 2013 up to and including July 31, 2014 tThe juice of the sample contains not less than 0.36 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid;

(2) No change to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g)

(f) During the period beginning October 28, 2013 up to and including July 31, 2014 tThe juice of the sample contains not less than 0.36 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid from October 28, 2013;

(3) No change to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g)

(f) During the period beginning October 28, 2013 up to and including July 31, 2014, tThe juice of the sample contains not less than 0.36 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid;

Rulemaking Authority 6901.10(7), 601.111, FS Law Implemented 601.9910(1), FS History—New 1-1-13

Effective 10-28-13.

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 28, 2013