There is a new Florida law effective today-- I can't even give my seedling trees to my friends and neighbors. (It is illegal to distribute plants not propogated in a screen house). If the USDA quarentine is ever lifted I can give them to friends and relatives in other states (non-citrus), but I don't expect that anytime soon.

I can understand the state's reasoning, but how many people do you think will comply with such a law? - Millet

Not many-- very few homeowners will even know about it. I even recently learned of a couple people that bought citrus trees in AL and brought them to Pensacola (because they are cheaper there)-- the people had no idea that it was against the law. Many people from Pensacola shop in AL outlet malls at Christmas and when they see bargains on citrus trees they buy them. Fortunately, we are not in the commercial citrus area and such violations are not likely to cause any problems, but it does show just how difficult it is to protect agricultural industries in any state from disease and pest transmission by unsuspecting individuals.

No citrus can be brought into Texas legally. there are many people that know this but choose to get the trees in Louisiana and bring them in illegally.

As I see it, for whatever help it is in controlling citrus disease (or not), the new requirements for nurseries growing citrus trees has been a big boost to the large growers. The competition from small growers has been eliminated. All out of state competition has been eliminated. The added cost of doing business can be passed on to the consumers, and fruit growers, because their choices have been severely limited. The growers have put up the screen houses and or greenhouses, which I am sure can also provide freeze protection when needed, so in the end, I suspect that requirement will become an advantage too. I suspect the complaints from the big nurseries are crocodile tears.

Ned

I agree Ned, prices for citrus trees are higher here in FL than they are in AL (based on what I hear from my brothers and sisters in AL). That alone is bound to increase illegal importation from knowing as well as unknowing individuals, but right now it is probably reducing the overall risk of disease transmission, especially within the state (a big concern to me).