TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4 and O.C.G.A. § 2-7-23, notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture will accept written comments regarding proposed amendments to its existing Citrus Rules, GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-4-26-.01, et seq. (the “Citrus Rules”). The Department will accept written comments from Thursday, March 23, 2023, until the close of business (4:30 p.m. ET) on Friday, April 21, 2023.
SYNOPSIS, MAIN FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:
Synopsis:
The Department hereby seeks to amend the Citrus Rules. Proposed changes (a) streamline the process for the Commissioner to designate citrus-related plant pests, (b) extend the sale of non-certified citrus budwood, (c) remove redundant provisions, and (d) implement minor clean up changes.
Proposed Amendments Regarding the Declaration of Plant Pests:
Proposed changes:
- The proposed amendments clarify that the Commissioner will identify and declare citrus-related plant pests, as needed, and that the Department will publish a list of those plantpests on the Department’s website. GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-4-26-.03.
Proposed Amendments Regarding Citrus Nursery Plants Propagated from Uncertified Budwood:
Proposed changes:
- The proposed amendments extend the deadline for growers to sell uncertified citrusbudwood, and clarify requirements for such sales. GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-4-26-.06(1)(f)(iii)-(iv).
Clean Up Changes:
Proposed changes:
- The proposed amendments implement clean up changes. GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-4-26-.05(3) & 40-4-26-.07(3).
- The proposed amendments repeal redundant provisions. GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-4-26-.09.
COMMENT PERIOD AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Department will be accepting written comments from Thursday, March 23, 2023, until the close of business (4:30 p.m. ET) on Friday, April 21, 2023. Public comments and the adoption of the amended Citrus Rules will be considered at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023, in Room 201 of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 M.L.K. Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Please submit written comments to:
Mike Evans
Georgia Department of Agriculture
1109 Experiment Street, Redding Building, Room 213
Telephone Number: (404) 586-1140
E-mail: Mike.Evans@agr.georgia.gov
Interested persons may call or submit a written request to obtain a copy of the proposed rule changes. A copy of the synopsis and the proposed rule changes may be downloaded from the Georgia Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.georgia.gov.
This notice is given in compliance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4.
