Florida extends trucking waiver
Feb 6, 2009 9:38 AM
As agricultural producers begin assessing freeze damage from the Feb. 4 Arctic blast that impacted the state, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that an executive order relaxing weight limits on trucks transporting vulnerable crops has been extended until Feb. 25.
The order extending the waiver was signed by Governor Charlie Crist at Bronson's request and enables growers to harvest more of their products to prevent or reduce crop losses. The previous order was scheduled to expire Feb. 11.
"We're thankful to Governor Crist for his effort in assisting the agricultural community in quickly getting crops out of the ground," Bronson said. "Florida's growers produce nearly all of our nation's domestically produced fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter months, and consumers throughout the country rely on our crops."
Florida is at the peak of the harvest season for many commodities, including citrus, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, snap beans, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, radishes, squash, tropical fish and nursery plants."
The emergency order signed by the Governor relaxes the weight, height, length and width restrictions for commercial vehicles transporting vulnerable crops.
For more information about the order, visit http://www.Florida-Agriculture.com on the Web.
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