Eggplant will no longer be produced in Florida for the winter market;

 All vegetable production in eastern Palm Beach county will cease; Dade county will no
 longer produce tomatoes;

 Lesser effects are projected for squash, which is not a major user of methyl bromide;

 The Florida strawberry industry will suffer a major contraction of production (69%);

 There will be a 40% decline in the production of double crop watermelons in Florida;

 Both Mexico and Texas will expand production of vegetables; Mexican tomato
 production will expand by 80%; its pepper production by 54%; its eggplant production
 by 123%;

 The economic loss to Florida is substantial. The FOB value of lost fruit and vegetable
 production is $620 million;

 The projected loss of FOB revenue to the Florida citrus industry is $13 million;

 The total economic impact of a methyl bromide ban to the state of Florida is estimated
 at approximately $1 billion and 13,000 jobs.

 The economic analysis is based upon the best information currently available regarding

crop yields and production costs associated with alternative production systems. Further

research is needed to validate the assumptions made in the economic analysis.

 The conclusion of the study is that the Florida winter fresh vegetable industry will face

dire consequences if new alternatives to methyl bromide are not identified before the ban of

methyl bromide is scheduled to take effect.