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| ![](med | PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT                                       |
| ia/imag |                                                            |
| e1.wmf) | **AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE\                          |
|         | **United States Department of Agriculture 1400             |
|         | Independence Ave., SW Room 2632-S                          |
|         |                                                            |
|         | Washington, DC 20250 (202) 720-8998 World Wide Web:        |
|         | http://www.ams.usda.gov                                    |
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**AMS No. 008-08**

** **

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

<jimmie.turner@usda.gov>

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

<billy.cox@usda.gov>

** **

**USDA SETS HEARING FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA CITRUS MARKETING
ORDER**

** **

**           ** WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2008 \-- The U.S. Department of
Agriculture will hold a public hearing on proposals to amend the federal
marketing order for fresh oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos
grown in Florida. The hearing will start Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. \--
continuing on Feb. 13, if necessary \-- at the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services, 500 3^rd^ Street, N.W. in Winter
Haven, Fla.

 

The Citrus Administrative Committee, which is responsible for local
administration of Federal Marketing Order 905, submitted the amendment
proposals. They would add authority to conduct production and marketing
research and promotional programs as well as make administrative changes
to the order. In addition, USDA proposes to make any necessary changes
to the order that will conform to any amendments that might result from
the hearing.

 

If evidence submitted at the hearing favors these proposals, and if USDA
agrees that the amendments would improve the order's operation, fresh
citrus growers in the production area would vote on the proposed
amendments in a grower referendum.

 

            Details about the proposed amendments are included in the
hearing notice that will be published in the Jan. 29, 2008, *Federal
Register*. Copies can be obtained from Christian Nissen, 799 Overlook
Drive, Suite A, Winter Haven, FL 33884; (863) 324-3375; or fax (863)
325-8793; Kathy Finn, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237,
Washington, DC 20250-0237; (202) 720-2491; or by fax, (202) 720-8938.
The hearing notice also can be viewed online at
[www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/).

\#