Comment from RICHARD GASKALLA, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

August 6, 2008 Docket Number APHIS-2008-0080 Regulatory Analysis and Development Plant Protection Development Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services Station 3A-03.8 4700 River Road, Unit 118 Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1238 Re: Docket No: APHIS- 2008-0080 – Citrus Canker; Movement of Fruit from a Quarantined Area; Bag Markings To Whom It May Concern: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry (FDACS’ DPI) has reviewed Docket No. APHIS-2008- 0080, “Citrus Canker; Movement of Fruit From a Quarantined Area; Bag Markings” and offers the following comments. The FDACS is supportive of the temporary exemption from 08/01/2008 – 08/01/2010, to allow Florida citrus packers to continue to use existing inventories of bags in which regulated fruit are packed that are clearly marked with a limited distribution statement to assist with maintaining safeguards against the movement of regulated fruit to commercial citrus producing states. This exemption extension is both practical and well-justified based on the excellent track record Florida has maintained in not sending fruit to restricted markets in the past, coupled with mounting research evidence that indicates commercial packed citrus fruit is not a pathway for the spread of citrus canker causing bacteria. Docket No: APHIS- 2008-0080 August 6, 2008 Page 2 of 2 The FDACS appreciates the efforts of the USDA-APHIS to make timely and well justified regulatory decisions designed to protect our agricultural well being and allow the safe movement of fresh citrus fruit. Sincerely, CHARLES H. BRONSON COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE Richard D. Gaskalla Division Director RDG/dh