Florida's largest citrus grower organisation Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) said today (5 November) that it is looking forward to working with the state's elected officials once new Legislature reconvenes.
FCM singled out Governor Rick Scott, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, all of whom the organisation endorsed during the election.
'This is a tremendous Cabinet that understands the importance of our industry to the state,' said Michael Sparks, executive vice-president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. 'During each of their first terms, they were crucial in partnering with citrus growers in the fight against HLB, or citrus greening, and I anticipate more of the same over the next four years.'
Citrus greening is a bacterial disease vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid. It attacks the vascular system of a tree and can kill it within two years. Citrus greening is endemic to Florida and can be found in all 32 commercial citrus producing counties. It has cost the industry US$4.5bn in economic activity.
