U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) said on Monday that a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to combat citrus greening disease would be “critical” to the vitality of America’s citrus growers.
The USDA announced $20.1 million in grants to fund research on citrus greening diseases on Monday. Citrus greening has impacted 75 percent of Florida’s citrus crops and has threatened citrus production across the U.S., according to the USDA.
“This disease continues to challenge growers in Florida, California, Texas and beyond,” Rooney, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and the chairman of the Congressional Citrus Caucus, said. “This critical funding is another step in ensuring that Florida orange juice is around for generations to come. I’m hopeful that with these continued efforts we will start to see progress in putting an end to greening.
The citrus industry adds $9 billion to Florida’s economy each year and supports 75,000 jobs. More than 8,000 citrus growers in Florida produce 70 percent of the nation’s orange juice.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said citrus greening threatens citrus crops across the United States.
“The research and extension projects funded today bring us one step closer to providing growers real tools to fight this disease, from early detection to creating long-term solutions for the industry, producers and worker,” Vilsack said.