Florida has eased highway restrictions to make it easier for agricultural producers to transport crops that are vulnerable to the cold weather
, according to Charles H. Bronson, the state's agriculture commissioner.

On Tuesday, Bronson requested that Governor Charlie Crist declare a state of emergency and issue an Executive Order directing the state Department of Transportation to relax the weight, height, length and width restrictions for commercial vehicles transporting vulnerable crops to processing sites. The Executive Order, which went into effect Tuesday, will stay in effect for 14 days.

"Transporting the vulnerable crops to processing sites without delay is necessary to save them from destruction and the relaxation of the restrictions on the weight, height, length and width for commercial vehicles transporting these crops is necessary to protect the agricultural interests of the state," Governor Crist stated in the Executive Order.

Bronson took the steps to relax the rules when it became apparent that the freezing weather would continue for several more days and that growers needed to harvest and transport crops as quickly as possible to help lessen their losses.

"The temporary easing of highway restrictions enables farmers to more quickly transport their crops to processing facilities and help avoid financial disaster," Bronson said. "Florida's growers produce nearly all our nation's domestically produced fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter."

For more information about the weight, height, length and width restrictions for vehicles transporting crops on Florida's highways, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com.