Contents:
This webpage provides links of letters and articles from those opposed to the program. Opposition to the program increased considerably after January 2000, when the 1900-ft policy was implemented.
It also contains the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services efforts to increase support for the citrus canker eradication program. The Department used all forms of communication including the news print, internet and occasionally the local television news programs.
The citrus industry was not united in their support of the eradication program. Florida Citrus Mutual was in strong support, as long as compensation was provided to grove owners.
However, the lime grove owners in the Homestead, Florida protested the 1900-ft rule, and other policies of the Department. In year 2000, a letter sent from the South Florida grove owners to President Clinton, with copy to Governor Jeb Bush and the Department responded. Both of these letters are posted (see Links).
Letters of protest were published in many forums (i.e. letters to the editor and internet postings). The Department was diligent in responding to protests, This webpage really represents only a sampling of the many protests and responses by the Department.
Please note I have no responsibility to the rather annoying ads which pop up as one accesses these links. I am grateful to Sun-Sentinel and others in providing access to citrus canker stories, some dating back to Canker War II.
Related Chapters: Chapter 3
Short Notes
SN 1.2 Contributions of Dr. Whiteside
SN 1.8 Canker and Butterflies, by Roger Hammer
SN 1.9 Overwhelming Emotions by Patricia Haire
SN 3.1 The case of the dirty scalpel
General Media Stories from the Sun Sentinel
Letter from L.C. Cochran
In 1986, L.C. Cochran wrote Dr. Wulscher that he was worried about the Department's propaganda during Canker War II. He goes on to say:
I am concerned about the credibility of control agencies. We need them and we want them to be able to get support when a real threat such as greening disease gets to Florida.
Sept 1986, Dr. L.C. Cochran, Retired Plant Pathologist at USDA-ARS, was about 20 years ahead of his time. Citrus greening was discovered in 2005 in Florida.
A War on Rights as well as canker
It's a wonderous thing to watch, a community that a few months ago could not come together accross ethnic lines to agree on anything now rising up as one united on this point- hatred of the canker eradication program. Why? Because the state put in place a radical and expensive program to destroy hundreds of thousand of trees and carried it out with all the determination of a commando raid. That on the baisis from a single unpublished study, despite controversy within the scientific community as to whether eraciation is necessary or even feasible and without any serious attempt at explanation of adequate provision for compensation..
Max Castro, Columnist for the Miami Herald, 2000
Additional Letters to APHIS
Other business depend on the citrus industry and were willing to write letters in support of the USDA payments for loss production. It also gave them a chance to address other grievances with the progam.
Letter from SW Farm Credit to APHIS
Letters to APHIS on lost production
Letter from Grove Services to APHIS
Letter from Mr. Klien to APHIS
Letter from Starglo and Ruby Red to APHIS
Department Responses
July 24, 2000 Letter from FDACS to Pres. Clinton and Grove Owners
FDACS/DPI - Frequently asked questions
FDACS/DPI - Citrus Canker Website