The US$9bn Florida citrus industry has been handed a welcome boost with the news that the Florida Legislature has included US$2m in the 2011/12 budget to help growers fight pests and diseases.

The funding, which was put forward by senator JD Alexander and representative Denise Grimsley, will go directly to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, which manages ongoing citrus research for the industry.

'I would personally like to thank senator JD Alexander and representative Denise Grimsley for making sure this research funding was included in the budget,' said Michael Sparks, executive vice-president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. 'They each have the foresight to know how important citrus research is to maintaining the 76,000 jobs our industry supports.'

In particular, the Florida citrus industry is currently battling the destructive disease huanglongbing, or citrus greening, which is found in all 32 commercial citrus producing counties in the state.

Over the past five years, Florida citrus growers have, through a self-assessment, funded more than US$50m in research designed to combat the disease, which spreads fast and can kill a tree in less than two years.

'Florida growers have a lot of skin in the game and they understand the urgency of the situation,' Sparks added. 'It is encouraging to know the state of Florida is there to help a formidable industry that defines our state to residents and tourists alike. The very future of Florida citrus is at stake.'

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