TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is alerting the state’s agricultural producers that some highway restrictions have been eased to enable them to quickly harvest and transport crops that are vulnerable to the impending freezing weather conditions.
Bronson’s alert follows Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s declaration of a state of emergency on New Year’s Eve and issuance of an Executive Order that directs the state Department of Transportation to relax the weight, height, length and width restrictions for commercial vehicles transporting vulnerable crops to processing sites. The order, which was signed December 31, remains in effect for 14 days unless extended by the governor.
“Many farmers are rushing to harvest their crops to prevent losses,” Bronson said. “The temporary easing of some highway restrictions helps them to more quickly transport their crops to processing facilities, thereby avoiding financial disaster.”
Bronson has alerted organizations representing the state’s agricultural producers and trucking interests of the governor’s action so they can load and transport crops in accordance with the relaxed highway restrictions. It is critical that truckers know they must carry with them the permit letter issued by the Florida Department of Transportation. The letter can be obtained at most sites where truckers are picking up their loads. It is also posted on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services web site at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us and on the Florida Department of Transportation web site at http://www.fdotmaint.com/permit.“Florida produces nearly all of the nation’s domestically grown fruits and vegetables during the winter,” Bronson said. “So it is especially critical that we do whatever we can to help prevent damage to this season’s crop. It is important not only for our farmers, but for consumers across the United States who are depending on us for their produce.”
More than 40,000 Florida commercial farmers are among the most productive in the world. Growing more than 280 different commercial crops, they furnish the nation with a dependable and safe supply of food, and provide Florida with a stable economic base. Florida is the nation’s ninth agricultural state overall, ranking first in citrus production, and second in the production of vegetables and horticulture products. Florida farmers receive nearly $7 billion in cash receipts for crops and other commodities annually. In addition, Florida’s agricultural and natural resource industries have an estimated overall economic impact of more than $97 billion annually.