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The Florida Senate

2004 Florida Statutes

Section 570.235, Florida Statutes 2004

570.235  Pest Exclusion Advisory Committee.--

(1)  There is created within the department a Pest Exclusion Advisory Committee. The advisory committee shall be composed of 24 members.

(a)  The Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint 17 members representing the following:

1.  Two members from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

2.  Two citizens at large.

3.  One member from each of the following agricultural production groups:

a.  Row crops.

b.  Citrus.

c.  Horticulture.

d.  Forestry.

e.  Cattle.

f.  Dairy.

g.  Pork.

h.  Poultry.

i.  Horses.

j.  Aquaculture.

k.  Apiary.

4.  One member representing research programs in the state's land grant institutions.

5.  One member representing extension programs in the state's land grant institutions.

(b)  In addition, the committee shall be composed of the following 7 members:

1.  Two members representing and appointed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

2.  One member representing and appointed by the Florida Department of Health.

3.  One member representing and appointed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

4.  One member representing and appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

5.  One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

6.  One member appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2)  The advisory committee shall be governed by the provisions of s. 570.0705 and shall have the responsibility of reviewing and evaluating the state's existing and future exclusion, detection, and eradication programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint the chair of the committee. In evaluating the programs, the advisory committee shall:

(a)  Require the scientific community to provide necessary scientific background on Florida's programs. Using such information, the committee shall evaluate the scientific basis for the programs.

(b)  Review current Florida laws and regulations and recommend changes.

(c)  Identify exotic plants and pests in foreign countries that pose a significant threat to consumer safety and have a high likelihood of being introduced into the state.

(d)  Identify high-risk areas for pest introduction and offer recommendations for specific programmatic activities to address such risk.

(e)  Study the possibility of partnerships with other public and private entities to develop programs, projects, and activities which may be cost-effective and which may assist in implementing a pest exclusion program.

(f)  Address any area of concern that is raised regarding the state's pest exclusion, detection, and eradication program.

(g)  Make recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate for needs and changes in these programs, including funding requirements and needs.

(3)  The committee shall issue a report of its findings to the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate by January 1, 2001.

History.--s. 27, ch. 99-391; s. 71, ch. 2000-154; s. 26, ch. 2000-197.