Release No. 0373.00
Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
H. Nolan Lemon, Jr. (352) 258-8835

GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES FUNDS TO ASSIST FLORIDA RESIDENTS IN REPLACING LOST CITRUS TREES

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 26, 2000 - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced USDA will provide the State of Florida with $8 million to continue its urban canopy replacement program to assist Florida homeowners in replacing trees lost due to the citrus canker eradication program.

"This assistance will help homeowners who have lost trees due to this devastating outbreak of citrus canker," said Glickman.

Earlier this month USDA released funds to assist Florida growers with commercial citrus tree replacement. The fiscal year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill also includes $58 million to compensate Florida citrus growers for lost income due to citrus canker eradication program. A proposed rule concerning the disbursement of these funds will be published soon in the Federal Register.

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.

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