With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicting a 29 percent drop in Florida orange production this week, congressional representatives from the Sunshine State are trying to raise awareness of the problem.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., expressed optimism on Thursday that the Congressional Citrus Caucus could help tackle the issue.
“Florida’s citrus industry provides billions of dollars to our economy and tens of thousands of jobs to Floridians,” Rooney noted on Thursday. “This year’s USDA crop estimates for Florida are the lowest since the 1964 and they are still declining. I’m hopeful that the Congressional Citrus Caucus will provide a forum for members from across the country to come together to help our nation’s citrus industry flourish. Now more than ever, it is critical that we open up lines of communication, before Florida orange juice becomes a thing of the past.”
Running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., showcased a bill from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., which gives tax incentives to farmers who need to replace trees impacted by the disease. Nelson said earlier this month he would introduce Buchanan’s “Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act” in the Senate.
Murphy penned a piece published by TCPalm on Thursday in which he highlighted the proposal which he is co-sponsoring.
“Our bill would help growers impacted by citrus greening replant their groves, expanding the tax deduction for the cost of purchasing and replanting new trees impacted by greening,” Murphy wrote. “While we continue working toward a cure, this bill would help sustain our local growers for the time being.
“As a Florida native, I understand that citrus is not only a crucial component of our economy, it is also an iconic part of our state's history,” Murphy added. “I will continue fighting for Congress to do more to address this crisis so that citrus remains a key part of Florida's strong future.”
The decline in Florida citrus in recent years is mostly the result of Huanglongbing (HLB), better known as citrus greening.
Spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, a tiny insect, citrus greening infects trees, leading to deformed and bitter fruit. Eventually, citrus greening kills the tree.
Based on the USDA forecast released earlier this week, the Florida citrus industry -- which generates $9 billion and employs more than 75,000 Floridians -- will have its worst year in more than half a century.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
