Oranges for Fresh Use Maturity Standards, Maturation of Oranges Earlier Than Normal

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
20-53.002: Oranges for Fresh Use Maturity Standards
20-53.003: Maturation of Oranges Earlier Than Normal

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 38 No. 34, August 24, 2012 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

As a result of JAPC comments:

Rule 20-53.001 was withdrawn, requiring the renumbering of the remaining rules as follows: 20-53.0012 and 20-53.0023

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION should have included the following language: 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: The maturity standards currently in statute will sunset on January 1, 2013 and these rules will become effective on this date. The industry will continue using the same standards as those relied upon for over 60 years in statute. Although the rules are new the standards are not; therefore, the industry will not incur any additional regulatory costs nor will there be any adverse impact on small business.

20-53.0012 (1)(d) The total soluble solids of the juice of the sample is not less than 9 percent;

20-53.0012 (2)(c) With yellow color predominating on not less than 50 percent of the fruit’s surface in the aggregate (the Parson Brown variety need show only such a break in color on not less than 25 percent of the fruit’s surface in the aggregate);

20-53.0023 (1) If in any particular shipping season it shall appear to the Department of Citrus, after a public hearing held not earlier than October 5 and called and held to determine such question, that oranges are then maturing earlier than normally as provided in 20-532 F.A.C., the Department of Citrus may by order, or rule, or regulation to be issued or promulgated and to become effective not later than October 10, declare and provide that during that period of time beginning with August 1 and ending with October 16, both dates inclusive, oranges meeting all other maturity standards shall be deemed to be mature when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample is not less than 9 percent;