Release No. 0366.00

H. Nolan Lemon, Jr. (352) 332-1893
nolan.lemon@usda.gov
Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192
maria.bynum@usda.gov

USDA ANNOUNCES PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL CITRUS TREE REPLACEMENT TO COMBAT HARMFUL INVASIVE SPECIES

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2000-Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced regulations to provide for the payment of tree replacement funds to eligible owners of commercial citrus groves destroyed because of citrus canker. Eligible owners will receive $26 per tree with a cap ranging between $2, 704 to $4, 004 per acre depending on the tree type.

"This assistance is critically needed to help reduce the economic effect of the citrus canker quarantine on affected commercial citrus growers in Florida," said Glickman. "More than 700,000 commercial citrus trees have been destroyed so far to combat this devastating outbreak."

In a second step to combat citrus canker, USDA will soon publish a proposed rule that will include compensatory payments for commercial citrus growers who have or will incur income losses due to regulatory actions to eradicate citrus canker.

Citrus canker is a highly contagious bacterial disease that attacks all parts of citrus plants, including the fruit. Symptoms include brown, raised lesions surrounded by an oily, water-soaked base and a yellow ring or halo. Citrus canker is one of the most devastating diseases known to attack citrus. It does not, however, present any health risks to humans or any animals.

If this invasive disease is not eradicated, it could cost commercial citrus growers and homeowners in Florida hundreds of millions of dollars each year in citrus losses.

This interim rule was published in the Oct. 16 Federal Register. It is effective upon publication and is available on the web at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Dec. 15. Please send an original and three copies to Docket No. 00-037-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,

APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238.

Comments received may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14^th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.