P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FLORIDA GROWERS THANK LAWMAKERS FOR INTRODUCING HURRICANE ASSISTANCE BILLS

FFVA SALUTES SEN. MEL MARTINEZ AND REP. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

Maitland, Fla. (November 16, 2005) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) thanks two members of the Florida congressional delegation for their support in obtaining disaster assistance for producers who lost their crops and property in hurricanes.

Senator Mel Martinez, and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (Miami) introduced similar bills Tuesday that would help provide relief for producers who suffered more than $2.2 billion in losses from the storms.

"We commend Senator Martinez and Representative Diaz-Balart for their leadership on this critical need," said FFVA President Mike Stuart. "It's also very gratifying that members of Florida's congressional delegation and the Florida Department of Agriculture have diligently worked to craft this bill so quickly after Hurricane Wilma struck our state," he added.

The Agriculture Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005 would allow producers to apply for disaster assistance according to specific eligibility criteria. The legislation also includes provisions for emergency grants to help restore housing and services to farm workers.
Damage estimates for losses from hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma are expected to continue rising from the current figure of $2.212 billion released November 4. The state's vegetable industry estimates losses of $311 million, citrus $180 million, tropical fruit $44.1 million, the sugar sector expects a minimum of $370 million in losses, and the nursery/foliage industry suffered an estimated $1.12 billion in losses. Other agricultural sectors experiencing losses include beef cattle, fish and shellfish, poultry, cotton, peanuts and honeybees.

"These past two years Florida fruit and vegetable producers have seen devastating losses from hurricanes," said Stuart. "Hurricane Wilma was especially destructive because it hit near the peak of our production season. This legislation must be passed as soon as possible to help our producers and Florida's farm communities recover from this tragic situation."

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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