HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-111RESOLUTION NO. 03-111
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING ~ REDUCTION
IN THE CURRENT U. S. TARIFF ON
IMPORTED CITRUS PRODUCTS AND URGING
THE GOVERNOR AND THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATIVE ~ CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATIONS JOIN IN OPPOSING A_NY
REDUCTION IN THE CURRENT TARIFF ON
IMPCRTED CITRUS PRODUCTS
W/~EREAS,
County,
1.
Florida
not only affects
the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
Florida, has made the following determinations:
Florida citrus has been an integral part of the
since its existence and the preservation of this
Florida's citrus but many
growers
State of
industry
affiliated
businesses and local government entities throughout the state.
2. Florida and Brazil produce over (90%) of all processed
orange products
result
3.
~Free Trade" because it neither increases competition, reduces
consumer prices, nor results in increased trade.
4. It is a prDven fact that the unsubsidized Florida citrus
industry employs approximately ninety thousand (90,000/ people and
has an economic impact to our state of $9.1 billion.
5. Florida cisrus growers have worked diligently over the
years in all international trade negotiations, and now with the
World Trade Organization and Free Trade Areas of the Americas, to
retain the citrus tariff on processed citrus products entering the
in the world and loss of Florida production would
in a monopoly for the Brazilian industry.
Lowering of citrus tariffs does not create the benefits of
United States to enable Florida to compete on a level playing field
with Brazil.
6. It is clearly demonstrated that any material reduction in
processed citrus tariff schedules will have a devastating result on
the citrus industry as it exists today in Florida with accompanying
catastrophic effects upon the eight hundred thousand (800,000)
acres of citrus that provide numerous environmental benefits to the
community and state.
7. There is no where in the world, other than Brazil, where
land and climatic conditions permit processed orange juice
production in quantities sufficient to compensate for losses in
Florida production.
8. The citrus growers of St. Lucie County require few
services but provide employment, tax revenue, economic stability,
water recharge, aeBthetic beauty, and a way of life that has
existed for more than one hundred years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1.
This Board opposes any reduction in the current U. S.
Tariff on imported
Florida Legislative and
opposing any reduction in
products.
2.
copy of
citrus products and urges the Governor and
Congressional Delegations to join in
the current tariff on imported citrus
The County Administrator is hereby directed to forward a
this resoluzion to Governor Jeb Bush; the Members of the
Florida Legislative and Congressional Delegation; and Mr. Douglas
C. Bournique, Executive Vice President, Indian River Citrus League.
After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as
follows:
Chairman Cliff Barnes AYE
Vice Chairman Paula A. Lewis AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Commissioner Doug Coward AYE
Commissioner John D. Bruhn AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 6t~ day of May, 2003.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COIINTY COMI~ISSIONERS
,9~'~ .~} APPROVE~cAo~R~TLNEE~L.. FORM AND