Successfully obtained first hurricane disaster relief program in the state ($3.6 million) for aquaculture.
Created a Sterile Fly Release Facility in Sarasota, preventing additional Mediterranean fruit fly infestations. The medfly can infest more than two hundred fruits and vegetables and is a serious risk to Florida agriculture.
Launched a statewide Pink Hibiscus Mealybug control program, using a biological control to eliminate this pest which is a serious agricultural pest of fruit trees, vegetables and ornamentals.
Lifted trucking restrictions during freezes and hurricanes to ensure farmers could quickly transport their products.
Launched a tropical soda apple task force that has developed best management practices and biological control programs to control the spread of this invasive plant. TSA is a tremendous problem for cattle ranchers because it takes over productive pastures. A voracious leaf-eating beetle is being reared and released in cooperation with the University of Florida/Institute of Food & Agriculture Sciences to defoliate and hinder the growth of the fast-spreading TSA.
Proactive in seeking out potential Sudden Oak Death infestations in products imported into Florida. Implemented a public education program and took action to prevent the importation of products with potential to bring more SOD into the state.
Involved in development of Citrus Health Response Plan (CHRP) which addresses diseases that are devastating to citrus, including greening and citrus canker.
Extensively involved in getting public and industry input on the proposed 2007 Farm Bill and ensuring provisions are included that protect and promote Florida’s agricultural interests.
Launched statewide outreach program to inform public about Africanized bees that are established in Florida. The department facilitated the formation of a regional inter-agency communications group to address the growing number of Africanized bees and the likely interactions between the highly defensive bees and people and animals. The slogan, Look, Listen and Run has been adopted by the group and is being used to inform the public.
FDACS is playing a key role in the national control strategies for the introduction of apiary pests and diseases including varroa mites and the troubling mystery disease, colony collapse disorder which is being blamed for the loss of thousands of honey bee colonies.
Developed the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program in Florida that is considered a model program for other states.
Agriculture Promotion
Launched state’s first Animal ID pilot program for cattle with Seminole Tribe o track cattle from birth to slaughter to retail stores.
Conducted marketing campaigns including “Northern Exposure” to promote Florida agriculture in northern states as well as campaigns to promote the sale of Florida products overseas. Since becoming Commissioner, Charles Bronson has opened new markets and increased sales of Florida products by more than one billion dollars.
Has obtained over four million dollars in state funding to support and develop Florida’s aquaculture industry.
Received FFA Honorary National Degree for personal commitment to the program.
Ongoing support for promotion, expansion and disaster recovery for aquaculture industry has enabled Florida to rank third in the nation in total aquaculture sales.
Enhanced the Consumer Hotline system to make it more responsive to callers, reducing the time consumers wait to talk with a hotline representative.
Worked to get Intrastate Moving Bill passed to protect consumers against unfair business practices by movers who confiscate their belongings until higher fees are paid.
Launched an outreach effort to inform public about new law giving them free access to their credit reports one a year.
Successfully fought for a law making ID spoofing illegal in order to protect constituents from potential fraud by telemarketers who conceal their true identity.
Added a new tool to department’s law enforcement office to better combat economic and high-technology crimes. The department signed on as a member of the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), a non-profit organization that provides support services to law enforcement and other agencies that prevent, investigate and prosecute economic and high-tech crimes.
Conducted Operation ReCON, a statewide effort to register auto repair shops, moving companies, health studios and other business entities regulated by his department that had failed to register.
In a three year period, investigated more than 4500 complaints about gasoline price gouging during declared emergencies. This involved subpoenaing 386 locations. More than $91,000 in settlements was collected from violators.
Created new Venomous Spider website to educate the public about dangerous spiders in Florida.
Successfully sought from Federal Trade Commission a ban on Ephedra products, a dietary supplement that has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. FDACS continues to send inspectors into retail outlets to ensure the product has been pulled from the shelves.
Has sponsored annual Consumer Protection Week resolutions in Florida Cabinet to focus attention on the need for consumer education to avoid scams.
Restored positions for the mediation Program that resolves disputes against business entities not regulated by FDACS. The positions were cut by the legislature the prior year.
Involved in two major national sweeps against business opportunity scams that included Florida businesses. Worked with Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Postal Service and other states to investigate and take legal action against criminals.
Has issued more than $877,000 in fines since 2001 against telemarketers who have violated the Do Not Call law.
Has recovered for consumers approximately 29.5 million dollars in goods, services and dollars since being appointed in May, 2001.
Initiated a redesign of department website to make it more user friendly and expand the amount of information provided to the public.
Took action to get the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation which ensures the office is in compliance with 276 recognized standards of excellence. The first ever accreditation for OALE was achieved in the summer of 2007.
Secured new border protection equipment, Gamma Ray machines which enable Agricultural Law Enforcement to inspect semi trucks in seconds for contraband and hidden compartments.
Established K-9 teams at inspection stations to bolster security at borders and more effectively find contraband.
Successfully obtained funding for Northwest Florida inspection station on the Alabama/Florida border creating a new line of defense against invasive pests and diseases as well as potential threats to homeland security.
Has confiscated more than 20 million dollars worth of contraband and cash at agriculture inspection stations.
Created a new office to provide expertise and leadership in statewide homeland security issues involving agriculture and food systems.
Established new Biosafety Level-3 Laboratories in Kissimmee and Tallahassee to expand the Department’s ability to diagnose foreign animal diseases and contamination in food products.
Took action to ensure out of state licensed security officers were authorized under emergency authority to assist in security and clean up efforts in Florida following numerous hurricanes.
Provided the placement of electronic fingerprint capture devices in Florida’s 67 county sheriffs’ offices for citizens seeking licenses as security officers and private investigators.
Environmental Protection
Created an agriculture water policy and working document (PDF) which identifies actions that are needed to assure agriculture has access to an adequate supply of water to remain competitive in a global marketplace while ensuring adequate water supplies for the public and the environment. It calls for all levels of government to work together to achieve that goal and stresses the need for industry groups to implement environmentally-friendly Best Management Practices and employ various water conservation measures.
Voted to acquire almost 380,000 acres of conservation lands under the Florida Forever program since taking office in May, 2001. These lands provide a variety of environmental benefits and recreational opportunities for Florida’s citizens.
Worked to ensure meaningful public access to the state’s waterways through the approval of marinas and docking facilities that serve the public boating community.
Established Wildland Fire Risk Assessment System, a system that uses satellite imagery and computer modeling to help Florida assess wildfire risks more accurately and allocate firefighting resources more effectively.
Launched “Your Forest, Managed”, a new public outreach initiative to educate owners of forestland on how to best manage their land to protect forests for decades to come and reduce development pressures on forested land.
Has obtained more than five million dollars in federal disaster assistance to restore oyster reefs damaged or destroyed during the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons.
Nutrition
Established Fresh-2-U program that promoted positive eating habits among Florida's 1.2 million school children in grades 1-5 by encouraging the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Established “Eat Your Colors” program which stressed the importance of eating a variety of different color fruits and vegetables to improve nutrition in young students.
Launched a program to encourage healthy eating to help combat obesity related diseases among Hispanics.
Launched an awareness program to educate the public about obesity related illnesses in African Americans using fitness personality Donna Richardson in the campaign.
Launched “Fruits and Veggies—More Matters” campaign with Department of Health and Department of Education to urge consumers to eat more healthfully.
Launched “Xtreme Cuisine” cooking school to teach kids around the state how to make healthful snacks.
Created program to assist shellfish industry in meeting federal guidelines required for the shellfish to be FDA certified as safe for consumption.
Renewable Energy
Initiated “Farm To Fuel” effort. The purpose of this ongoing program is to make Florida a leader in the production of alternative energy, such as ethanol, using crops and woody biomass. This program will allow us to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, while at the same time providing a new market for Florida growers.
Involved in Senate Bill 888, which was passed into law in 2006 and provided incentives for the renewable fuel industry, in part through the Renewable Energy Technologies Grants Program. In the first year, this program received an overwhelming number of applications and provided five million dollars in grant money for the renewable fuel industry.
Named to the National Steering Committee of 25x’25, a national group dedicated to ensuring that America’s farms, forests and ranches will provide 25% of the nation’s energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2025.
