(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent a letter to Congressional leadership requesting additional federal flexibility for industries and programs critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter, sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asked that additional Congressional action on the pandemic include: Making federal SBA disaster loans available …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Issues Emergency Orders & Rules During COVID-19
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried issued the following emergency orders and rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “During this pandemic, we are taking every step necessary to protect Floridians,” said Commissioner Fried. “This includes waiving fees for businesses and license applicants, extending the expiration on concealed weapons and security guard licenses by 30 days, providing training flexibility for workers, and helping …
Additional Guidance from FDACS Regarding COVID-19
(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is issuing additional guidance regarding COVID-19 for the agriculture industry, consumers, and regulated industries. “As COVID-19 further sweeps across our state, I want to remind Floridians that our food supply is safe, our agricultural industry is strong, and we’re going to get through this together,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “We are …
FFAA — Business as Near Normal as We Can Make It
(FFAA) — FFAA is working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and others to ensure the agchem and grower supply chains are prioritized and deemed essential services. As of an 11:30 a.m. call on Wednesday, March 18, FDACS activities are proceeding as near normally as possible. Consideration is being given to extensions of expiring licenses and …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on USTR Commitments to Seasonal Produce Protections
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement regarding formal commitments recently made by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to protect American seasonal produce growers from unfair trade practices harming the industry: “While discouraging that the USMCA and its implementing legislation lacked protections for our seasonal producers, I thank Ambassador Lighthizer for his formal commitments to address this urgent …
New Hemp Rules in Effect
(FDACS) — On Jan. 1, food safety and animal feed rules for the new state hemp program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) went into effect. Regulations on hemp extract used in food and dairy products and animal feed have been incorporated into existing FDACS programs, hemp food establishment permits are available, and the department’s food safety inspectors are ready to conduct inspections. “We’re proud …
Fire Safety Tips: Christmas Tree Disposal
(FDACS) — The Florida Forest Service is encouraging Floridians to dispose of Christmas trees safely. Dry limbs and needles from discarded Christmas trees can be an ignition source for fire if not properly cleared away from homes and natural areas. “We are encouraging all residents and visitors to be vigilant this holiday season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. “Trees discarded improperly can quickly turn …
FDACS Grants Santa Claus Animal Movement Permit
(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Division of Animal Industry issued a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole. The permit will allow their reindeer to enter and exit “all homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises in Florida” between the hours of 8:00 PM December 24, 2019 and 7:00 AM …
Florida, Feds Still Working on Timber Money
(NSF) — Florida has its “foot on the gas pedal” to get federal money to timber growers who sustained massive damage when Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle last year. But agreements are still being finalized, with no set timeline for the first payments to go out from a $380.7 million block grant. Franco Ripple, a spokesman for state Agriculture Commissioner …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida-Georgia Water Ruling
(FDACS) — Following the ruling by a federal judge on Georgia’s consumption of water shared with Florida, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “This ruling is a major disappointment for fair, responsible water usage on which both states depend. Georgia’s unchecked disruption of our shared waters in the Apalachicola River has devastated Florida’s oyster industry. I’m encouraging our …