Florida rule on Calif. citrus upheld

An emergency rule designed to guard Florida’s citrus crop against a fungus that might be on California fruit shipped into the state withstood an initial court challenge.

Circuit Judge William Gary denied a temporary injunction sought by California citrus growers. He decided in part that they had failed to show that the rule was unconstitutional or that they were likely to suffer irreparable harm pending final resolution of the lawsuit.

Florida agriculture officials issued the rule to protect the state’s citrus industry from Septoria citri, which appears as small, pitted lesions. It ultimately can cause fruit to fall off prematurely.

The rule requires California fruit to be inspected and treated with a fungicide before it can be shipped to Florida.