January 7, 2008

ISSUE 1200

FLORIDA SHIVERS; TRUCKING RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

Growers generally escaped significant damage Jan. 2-3 when a cold front caused temperatures to dip into the 20s in some areas and freezing wind whipped through the state’s production regions.

Tomato, bean, lettuce, pepper and squash crops suffered varying degrees of damage, but citrus growers largely escaped unharmed. Some damage to strawberries occurred due to problems with irrigation equipment and strong winds.

As of Rap-Up deadline, final assessments were still being tallied.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Jan. 2 that some highway restrictions had been eased to enable producers to quickly harvest and transport crops that are vulnerable to the freezing weather conditions.

The easing of restrictions follows Gov. Charlie Crist's declaration of a state of emergency on New Year's Eve and issuance of an executive order that directed 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 Dec. 31, remains in effect for 14 days unless extended by the governor.

Truckers must carry a permit letter issued by the Florida Department of Transportation and available 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 www.doacs.state.fl.us and on the Florida Department of Transportation Web site at www.fdotmaint.com/permit.