Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today (Dec. 30) announced the Executive Order relaxing trucking restrictions so that farmers can transport freeze-vulnerable crops has been extended. 

The order, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, has been extended for an additional seven days.

Bronson originally requested that Governor Charlie Crist issue the Emergency Order on Dec. 10 just prior to the freeze. In seeking the extension, Bronson said farmers need the additional time to continue harvesting and transporting affected crops to processing and retail facilities before they deteriorate. 

The extension will give the agriculture industry time to harvest crops without overloading processing facilities.

Bronson has alerted organizations representing the state's agricultural producers and trucking interests of the Governor's action so they can load and transport crops in accordance with the relaxed highway restrictions. Florida's growers produce nearly all the nation's domestically produced fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter.

For information about the weight, height, length and width restrictions for vehicles transporting crops on Florida's highways, and information about DOT Road Use Permit Letters, visit http://www.fdotmaint.com/PermitNew/home.asp.