New rules placing fresh tangerine maturity standards into Chapter 20 as a result of the industry's maturity standards being removed from Chapter 601, FS. by the 2012 Legislature and allowing the industry more flexibility to deal with weather and ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
20-55.001: Purpose
20-55.002: Tangerine Maturity Standards

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: New rules placing fresh tangerine maturity standards into Chapter 20, F.A.C., as a result of the industry’s maturity standards being removed from Chapter 601, FS. by the 2012 Legislature and allowing the industry more flexibility to deal with weather and disease emergencies as they affect citrus.

SUMMARY: New rules placing fresh tangerine maturity standards into Chapter 20, F.A.C.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: These rules, while new, are a result of the 2012 Legislature removing the maturity standards from statute thereby allowing their placement into Chapter 20 rules; as the statute wording has been brought directly into the rules, there will be no impact to the industry.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 601.10(7), 601.11 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 601.9910(1) FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: October 24, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Alice Wiggins, License & Regulation Specialist, P. O. Box 9010, Bartow, FL 33831 or [e-mail]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

TANGERINE MATURITY STANDARDS – FRESH

20-55.001 Purpose.

The purpose of this rule is to set forth the specific standards as to when tangerines intended for fresh use are considered mature and specifies the variances relating to maturity standards in accordance with specific times of the year.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.9910(1) FS. History–New 1-1-13.

20-55.002 Tangerine Maturity Standards.

(1) Tangerines shall be deemed to be mature only when each tangerine:

(a) After having been clipped, picked, or otherwise severed from the tree;

(b) Shows a break in color;

(c) With yellow color predominating on not less than 50 percent of the fruits surface in the aggregate;

(d) The total soluble solids of the juice are not less than 9 percent;

(e) And the ratio of total soluble solids of the juice to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in Chapter 20-56, F.A.C.

(2) From November 15th of each year until July 31st of the following year, both dates inclusive, tangerines shall be deemed to be mature only when each tangerine:

(a) After having been clipped, picked, or otherwise severed from the tree;

(b) Shows a break in color;

(c) With yellow color predominating on not less than 50 percent of the fruit’s surface in the aggregate;

(d) The total soluble solids of the juice thereof are not less than 8.75 percent;

(e) And the ratio of total soluble solids of the juice thereof to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in Chapter 20-56, F.A.C.

(3) From November 15th of each year to July 31st of the following year, both dates inclusive, tangerines shall be deemed to be mature for canning and concentrating purposes when the total soluble solids of the juice is not less than 8.75 percent and when the minimum ratio of the juice to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in Chapter 20-56, F.A.C., with no minimum requirements as to juice content, acid, or color break.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.9910(1) FS. History–New 1-1-13.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: William Roberts, Acting General Counsel

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Citrus Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 16, 2012

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 1, 2012