Secretary Lyons Scheduled to Visit Tulare, Oxnard

CDFA SECRETARY LYONS SCHEDULED TO VISIT TULARE, OXNARD
Secretary to participate in federal citrus hearing and agricultural issues forum

SACRAMENTO, August 19, 2002-California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. is scheduled to visit both Tulare and Oxnard for separate events on Tuesday, August 20.

At 9 a.m., Secretary Lyons is scheduled to testify at a USDA hearing at the Radisson Hotel in Oxnard on the Spanish clementine, a citrus fruit similar to a tangerine. Earlier this year, U.S. and California borders were closed to clementines after live Mediterranean Fruit Fly larvae were found in shipments from Spain. The federal hearing is intended to solicit testimony on plans to once again permit the shipment of Spanish clementines.

At 12 noon, Secretary Lyons is scheduled to speak at California AG 2002, an agribusiness conference at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. The meeting is intended as an opportunity for agribusiness professionals to stay informed about the concerns of California farmers and ranchers. Secretary Lyons will join a distinguished group of industry leaders and researchers at the conference.





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