Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam Calls for Disaster Declaration in Wake of Tropical Storm Debby

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Contact: Sterling Ivey

July 3, 2012

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam Calls for Disaster Declaration in Wake of Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby Caused Extensive Damage to Crops; Standing Water May Exacerbate Losses

Tallahassee, FL – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam today called on U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to designate parts of Florida as primary natural disaster areas once agricultural losses resulting from Tropical Storm Debby are quantified.

“The excessive rainfall, flooding, flash flooding, high winds, lightning and multiple tornadoes the storm inflicted caused extensive damage to both the quality and quantity of many of our crops, as well as to the grazing pastures so critical to our livestock producers,” said Commissioner Putnam. “A disaster declaration will help Florida’s agricultural producers access much needed assistance.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working closely with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to quantify agricultural losses and determine which of Florida’s counties meet the threshold for a primary Secretarial Disaster Declaration from USDA.

Commissioner Putnam has asked Governor Rick Scott to expedite the disaster declaration request to Secretary Vilsack once the assessment is complete.

“It is my hope that given the amount of damage Florida agriculture producers sustained, the requested declaration be made as quickly as possible.”

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.

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