Tallahassee, FL – Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has released the 2011 Annual Report for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, providing a snapshot of the department’s priorities and accomplishments for the calendar year. This is the first annual report released by the department under Commissioner Putnam’s leadership.
“As Commissioner of Agriculture, I pledged to support Florida’s $100 billion agriculture industry, expand opportunities for energy production, manage the state’s natural resources and safeguard consumers,” said Commissioner Putnam. “This annual reports demonstrates how we built on successful department programs and initiatives to champion these issues throughout the state and nation.”
Commissioner Putnam delivered the annual report to the Governor, Attorney General, Senate President and Speaker of the House, as required by Florida Statute.
The annual report outlines some of the many ways in which the department supports Florida’s agriculture industry, enabling it to grow by $150 million in cash receipts over the last year.
The report also summarizes efforts to safeguard consumers’ health and well-being. Through the department’s consumer hotline, 1-800-HELP-FLA, and website, www.800helpfla.com, consumer assistance operators responded to 214,284 calls from consumers with questions or comments and recovered nearly $6 million on behalf of consumers.
It highlights the department’s efforts to conserve Florida’s rich natural resources, including the enrollment of 826,840 acres in Best Management Practices (BMPs) to store water and reduce phosphorus loads in the Northern Everglades. These BMPs include, among other things, water control structures, fertilizer and irrigation management practices and wetland buffers, all of which help conserve the state’s limited water resources.
The report also provides an overview of the department’s new responsibilities, including the transfer of the state’s school nutrition program and Office of Energy as a result of measures passed during the 2011 legislative session.
In addition to summarizing the department’s activities during the last year, the report outlines the legacy of Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, who, among his many achievements, successfully negotiated the settlement with British Petroleum (BP) to combat the effects of the 210 Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill on Florida’s seafood industry. The department’s settlement with BP provides $20 million for the testing and marketing of Gulf seafood, with which the department is working to restore consumer confidence in the safety of Florida Gulf seafood products.
The full text of the annual report can be found here: http://www.florida-agriculture.com/pubs/pubform/pdf/FDACS_Annual_Report_2011.pdf.