Vern Buchanan: Congress Should Take Quick Action to Help Florida Orange Industry

With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasting a 29 percent drop in Florida oranges from last year, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., urged Congress take quick action on his effort to help Florida’s citrus industry which is being devastated by citrus greening. 

Last month Buchanan proposed a measure giving tax incentives to farmers who need to replace trees impacted by the disease. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., announced earlier this month he is sponsoring the bill in the Senate. 

On Monday,  Buchanan said the USDA forecast“underscores the urgent need for Congress to pass my Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act” and urged the quick passage of his proposal. 

“In addition to ravaging millions of trees, citrus greening continues to threaten thousands of jobs for hard-working Floridians,” Buchanan said. “The time is now for Congress to take action on this common-sense legislation.”