The US department of agriculture (USDA) has announced an $11 million package to fight the devastating citrus greening disease.

Some $2m will be spent this year on research at the USDA’s lab in Fort Pierce, Florida and a further $9m over the next three years on a competitive grants programme run through the department’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture.

"We deeply appreciate this initial quick infusion of desperately needed research funding to supplement what Florida growers have already spent,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida’s largest citrus growers’ organisation. The state’s citrus industry is valued at $9 billion.

A stakeholder board of producers and scientists from the leading citrus producing states including Florida, California and Texas will oversee and evaluate the funding and research.

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