29 April 2008 - Florida's $9 billion a year citrus industry is scheduled to receive $2 million from the state's 2008-09 budget to help fund pest and disease research, officials said Tuesday.
The budget that includes the funding is expected to be signed by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist sometime next week.
"This appropriation is very important to the Florida citrus industry at a time when research may determine our future," Mike Sparks, Florida Citrus Mutual chief executive officer, said in a press release.
The industry is locked in a battle with citrus-greening disease, which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid insect, causes production losses, and eventually kills the trees. At the same time, it is also fighting citrus canker, a disease that causes unsightly lesions on the fruit and production losses.
"HLB (citrus greening) has the potential to devastate the industry. We as an industry must find a scientific solution," Sparks said.
Huanglongbing disease has been confirmed in 28 Florida counties but poses no threat to humans.