Arizona Citrus Growers 'Disappointed' In Argentina Lemon Rule

By Casey Kuhn
Published: Monday, May 8, 2017 - 5:05am
Updated: Monday, May 8, 2017 - 10:37am

The U.S. will allow lemon imports from Argentina this month after more than a decade of ban bringing in the fruit, and Arizona citrus growers aren’t happy about the change.

The citrus industry has been declining in Arizona, but there are still growers here trying to defend both their crops and their industry.

The ban is supposed to keep out potential citrus diseases, and President Donald Trump’s administration could have extended it further.

It did not, and Western citrus groups are denouncing the decision.

Harold Payne manages the Fort McDowell Tribal Farm near Phoenix, which grows citrus, among other crops.

“We’re disappointed that it happened and we hope that our industry can continue to put pressure on people that have the decision ability to stop the importation,” he said.

The Argentinian lemon ban is set to expire May 26.

Payne says it was an unexpected and disappointing move.

“With President’s Trump’s position that he’s taken at pro-American business, we were quite surprised when he decided to allow that rule to stand,” he said.

Barack Obama’s administration first reconsidered the lemon ban, which is why it is ending.

California and Arizona growers say they will keep putting pressure on the current administration to keep the ban in place.

Business