Rulemaking in Florida

More on the avocado front.

Here is the Federal Register rule that was published March 29. The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking is considering applying Florida avocado marketing order standards to all avocados. This seems to be a back door effort to use the Florida marketing order to impose tougher standards on imports. Comments are due by the end of May.

Here is a summary of the rule:

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions of the United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados. At a meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result AMS is considering revisions to the Florida Avocado standard to include all avocados.

TK: Florida avocados account for just 12,000 tons out of the 282,000 tons of U.S. avocados produced in 2005-06(California accounted for the balance). Plus, they produce very few hass fruit. It doesn't seem correct that the Florida marketing order should set the standards for all other avocados, including imports.