Local Citrus Growers Assail Trade Move

After two years of debate and protest, Ventura County citrus growers on Thursday called a federal decision to allow Argentine citrus into the United States an outrage, saying they are frustrated by the federal government’s failure to heed their concerns.

Although the decision was not unexpected--it becomes official when it appears in the Federal Register early next week--ranchers and agriculture officials called the new rule a political move to smooth the way for such U.S. trade activities as the export of pork.

Further, they said they are still worried the foreign lemons’ arrival into the country could spread diseases and pests unknown here.

Officials at the U.S. Citrus Science Council in Santa Paula, which has been heavily involved in the debate, said they are still deciding on a plan of action, but might file a lawsuit in hopes of stopping the lemon imports.

“We think this is political, but they just did a good job of papering over” their motives, said Pierre Tada, president of the largest citrus grower in Ventura County, and co-chairman of the council. “This is like foreign aid to Argentina.”

U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations call for import of the fruit to be phased in within four years, beginning with this summer’s shipping season.

Fruit will be allowed into 34 states immediately, and after two years into 10 states that border citrus-producers, including Nevada and Oregon.