We’re not sure if it has ever been so late in getting published, but Florida fresh fruit growers, packers and shippers are anxious to hear about fresh fruit shipping rules for the coming season. Industry sources indicate the rule is expected to be published at anytime, hopefully sometime this week in time to be announced during this week’s Florida Citrus Mutual Conference in Bonita Springs. Florida interests hope since USDA scientists confirm picked fruit cannot spread citrus canker, that USDA will again allow Florida fruit to be shipped to all states again. At least one recent article in a grower newsletter in another citrus producing state, Texas, has quoted the USDA research as “Florida research” and says it will provide comments to the USDA about the rule when the time is right. Once the rule is published there will be some time for public comment before a final rule is confirmed.