The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has this week mailed ballots to the state's citrus growers, that will allow them to vote on self-taxation for research purposes.
Votes collected from the State Citrus Research Order referendum will determine whether growers want to continue to tax themselves to support research into areas such as disease prevention and elimination – particularly crucial considering the threat of Huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease, in Florida.
'It is very important that growers take part in the process; the industry's crucial research effort is at stake,' said Michael Sparks, executive vice-president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. 'Mutual is strongly encouraging growers to vote 'yes' and mail their ballots back immediately.'
In November 1991, Florida citrus growers voted to implement a research order commonly referred to as the 'box tax' to help fund research, with producers voting on the research tax every six years.
The vote will take place over the next two weeks, and all ballots must be returned to the FDACS by the 9 December 2009 to be counted.
A number of industry organisations back the State Citrus Research Order, including Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Citrus Commission, the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (CGA), the Peace River Valley CGA, Gulf CGA and the Indian River Citrus League.
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