The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announces a referendum on the proposed Amended Citrus Research Order in which all producers of citrus in Florida are invited to participate.

TIME PERIOD FOR REFERENDUM: Ballots and copies of the proposed order will be mailed to all citrus producers affected who are in the state and whose names and addresses are known on November 16, 2009. Ballots and copies of the proposed order may be obtained from county extension offices in Desoto, Polk, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, and St. Lucie. counties by producers not receiving them by mail, or by calling: Marshall Wiseheart at (850)488-4366 or Sarah Oglesby at (850)488-3022.

The date by which ballots must be returned to the Department is: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REFERENDUM: The Department has received an application from representatives of over 10 percent of the affected producers to conduct a referendum on reenacting the order. The current order expires on July 31, 2010.

On October 13, 2009, the Department held a public meeting concerning the continuation of the marketing order.

The proposed order raises the assessment cap from 1 cent to 3 cents per box of citrus sold and designates the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc. to administer the box tax funds.

If you have any questions, please call: Marshall Wiseheart at (850)488-4366.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this referendum is asked to advise the Department by contacting: Marshall Wiseheart at (850)488-4366. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TTY) or 1(800) 955-8770 (Voice).