U.S. citrus growers can sue USDA over Argentine lemon imports, judge rules
U.S. citrus growers have standing to sue the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its decision to remove the ban on lemon imports from Argentina, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. 
The U.S. Citrus Science Council and five growers sued the USDA and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in May, claiming they ignored science and made a politically motivated decision in removing the ban on lemons from Northwestern Argentina, Courthouse News reported.
The U.S. banned Argentine lemons 15 years ago due to plant pests and diseases in the South American country.
The growers allege the Argentinean government has a history of not reporting disease outbreaks, particularly citing citrus black spot disease (CBS).
According to the growers’ lawsuit, the USDA did not analyze how many lemons Argentina will export or how it might affect the U.S. citrus industry.
The numbers of fruit trees in California “provide ample host material for pests arriving from Argentina, and thereby facilitate potentially catastrophic spread in the United States,” the complaint states.
The USDA sought dismissal, and the growers and Citrus Science Council filed an amended complaint in August, according to Courthouse News.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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