BARTOW, Fla. – Congressman Adam Putnam today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a rule change that will make it easier for Florida citrus growers to ship fruit to other states. 

"The rule change is a science-based finding that is very good for the industry and consumers," said Putnam, who had advocated the changes. "Disease and other natural disasters have hit fresh growers especially hard in recent years. I commend USDA for their diligent efforts."

The USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced earlier in the day it will amend its citrus canker regulations to eliminate the preharvest grove inspection for all Florida citrus moving interstate. Instead, the amended regulations will require samples of each lot of citrus at the packinghouse be inspected to ensure the fruit is disease-free.

USDA said the regulatory change, based of the findings of a pest risk analysis, will enable Florida growers to maintain, and possibly increase, the amount of fresh citrus shipped to eligible states while providing the same level of protection against the spread of citrus canker. The rule for the "Movement of Citrus Fruit From Florida" will be published in the Nov. 19 Federal Register and further information may be found at http://www.usda.gov.