The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issued an emergency rule on Monday allowing enrolled producers to apply a replacement fertilizer to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Ian without fear of being out of compliance with their respective Best Management Practices (BMP) manuals.
FDACS recommends producers conduct soil testing to confirm the need for replacement fertilizer prior to any applications. Additionally, all applicable BMP records must be maintained.
The emergency rule will be in effect until Feb. 19, 2023. It is applicable to applications made between Oct. 1, 2022, and the rule expiration date. This week’s emergency rule follows the emergency order issued by FDACS in November. It suspends the requirement for BMP Implementation Verification visits to the counties most heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Counties include Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia.