It’s Been a Busy Year for Florida Citrus Mutual
February 11, 2011 It’s been a busy year at Florida Citrus Mutual, and my entire staff and I have worked hard over the past 12 months on behalf of the Florida citrus grower. Lobbying in Washington and Tallahassee, monitoring dumping, media relations, providing industry data, and reaching out to growers is all in a day’s work at Mutual.
As we continue to battle HLB, the industry needs to come together as we have in the past. I remain optimistic. The Florida citrus industry has beat back challenge after challenge in its long history and what we face now is no different. Florida citrus is here to stay and we can all be proud of the great products we produce.
Putting Up A Fight
HLB is only one of many issues facing our industry. We now realize our nation’s regulatory environment is shifting. Whether it is EPA’s proposed numeric nutrient criteria, regulating pesticides under the Clean Water Act, or new food safety rules, Mutual promises to keep at the forefront of these issues during the coming year. The Florida grower must be able to operate in a regulatory environment that allows them to not only survive but thrive.
Weather, of course, is and will always be a challenge. In January 2010, an unprecedented 11-day freeze hit our state. Mutual took an active role by giving growers information through its Freeze Information Network, which provides up-to-date and accurate weather forecasts by telephone. Mutual also fielded hundreds of media calls from all over the world asking how the Florida citrus industry fared.
In the aftermath, Mutual gave numerous tours to show elected officials and regulators the damage and provided information to Gov. Charlie Crist so he could ask USDA for a disaster declaration.
In the aftermath, Mutual gave numerous tours to show elected officials and regulators the damage and provided information to Gov. Charlie Crist so he could ask USDA for a disaster declaration.
Global Markets
On the trade front, Florida Citrus Mutual continues to monitor the world orange juice market to make sure international companies are playing by the rules and not injuring Florida citrus growers with predatory pricing. An anti-dumping order covering three major Brazilian orange juice processors has been in place since 2006. The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed the order in the summer of 2010 and found two of the companies, Cutrale and Citrosuco, are still dumping juice, which will result in financial penalties.
Mutual also is committed to maintaining the U.S. tariff on imported orange juice, which at presstime sits at 28¢ per pound on FCOJ and 17¢ per pound for NFC. Mutual, through its trade consultant Barnes Richardson, has made Florida growers’ position clear to professional negotiators in Washington and Geneva: No cuts in the OJ tariff.
Immigration Issues
Florida Citrus Mutual also is monitoring the immigration debate in Washington and Tallahassee in 2010. All eyes are on the Florida Legislature and what it plans to do in 2011. How will the debate over an “Arizona-style” immigration law shape up?
Mutual believes immigration reform is a federal issue and must contain an effective guestworker program that brings workers in, keeps track of the workers while they are here, and then sends them home when the season is over. Growers cannot continue to serve as de facto immigration agents.
Political Power
The November 2010 elections were landmark events for the entire state of Florida. Four races took place including the very important Commissioner of Agriculture. Mutual threw all of its support behind eventual winner Adam Putnam. In fact, Mutual helped organize a fundraiser for Putnam that generated funds for his campaign.
In the run-up to the elections, our organization made a point to reach out to other statewide candidates to let them know about issues facing citrus and how their policy should be shaped accordingly should they be elected. We also interviewed dozens of additional candidates in congressional and state elections.
So as we dive head first into 2011, know that Mutual is fighting for growers whether it is on the local, state, or federal level. We know it is going to be a trying year as we tackle numerous issues but there isn’t any challenge that is too big for this resilient industry.
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It's Been a Busy Year for Florida Citrus Mutual
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