Florida citrus growers and farmers were pleased when they received the news that an appeals court ruled in the farmers’ favor to protect the crops against a potentially damaging pesticide. This week’s decision to overturn the federal ruling on the use of aldicarb on citrus plants comes amid state and federal battles over the potential damaging properties of the pesticide.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in the farmers’ favor. The appeal comes five months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the use of aldicarb in the production of oranges and grapefruit. Shortly after, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services denied an application to use aldicarb, creating the state challenge against AdLogic Chemical, LLC., according to The News Service of Florida.
After the appeal decision was announced Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who recently announced her bid to challenge governor Ron DeSantis in next year’s gubernatorial race, released a statement saying: “I remain fully committed to working with Florida’s proud citrus growers to support solutions for our state’s signature crop without risking human, animal and environmental health.”
Floridainsider.com reports that other businesses in the industry have backed the use of aldicarb and believe the disease affecting the citrus crops comes from citrus greening via insects.
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