Grower body Florida Citrus Mutual has announced that it enjoyed a successful 2014 session in Tallahassee, where several citrus industry legislative priorities were achieved.
Those included US$3.5m for non-recurring research for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, US$2m for the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center and US$2m for FDACS' germplasm facility.
'The Florida citrus industry has some great supporters in the Florida Legislature and we certainly appreciate the fact they understand our complex issues and the need for the state to invest in our US$9bn industry,' said Michael Sparks, executive vice-president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. 'We are looking forward to working with the governor to finalise these priorities.'
Sparks thanked a host of Legislators including Reps. Will Weatherford, Ben Albritton, Matt Hudson, Steve Crisafulli and Seth McKeel. He also thanked Senators Alan Hays, Denise Grimsley, Joe Negron and Bill Galvano for their hard work. Sparks said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam also did yeoman's work on behalf of the citrus industry.
