The National Research Council of the National Academies (NRC) has this week issued its final report to provide the Florida citrus industry and growers with strategic recommendations to combat Huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease.
It follows a year of research by the NRC, which was asked by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) in April 2009 to undertake the project, subsequently forming the 'Committee on the Strategic Planning for the Florida Industry: Addressing Citrus Greening Disease'.
'This report is the culmination of efforts to support greening research initiated by a Florida Citrus Commission resolution in January of 2008,' said Ken Keck, FDOC executive director. 'The Florida Department of Citrus responded to the urgent and immediate need for research by partnering with the National Academies to identify promising greening research projects.
'We've reallocated nearly US$20m to date on research projects to yield potential solutions to greening and other diseases that threaten the future of the citrus industry,' he added.
The report contains 23 specific recommendations that will require coordination and operation from all industry participants in order for the Florida citrus industry to survive and prosper, with some – such as the creation of disease research coordinating body Citrus Research Disease Foundation – already being implemented.
'The NRC brought together numerous scientific experts from around the globe to address greening on behalf of Florida citrus growers,' said FDOC deputy executive director of research and operations Bob Norberg. 'The Strategic Planning for the Florida Citrus Industry: Addressing Citrus Greening Disease report, commissioned by the FDOC, provides a comprehensive blueprint for the industry to solve citrus greening disease and ensure the industry's future sustainability.'
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