Congressman Gonzalez Announces Record Level Funding for Citrus Greening

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the fiscal year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act funded critical USDA programs that help to combat Citrus Greening Disease at all-time high levels. The bill appropriated $10.5 and $57 million for the Huanglongbing Multiagency Coordination Group (HLB-MAC) and the Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP) respectively.

Huanglongbing disease, also known as the Citrus Greening Disease, continues to have damaging effects on the nation's $11 billion citrus industry. All the citrus growing counties in Texas are currently quarantined, and the State of Florida has seen cuts in citrus production of over 60 percent since 2007. The Asian Citrus Psyllid, the vector of disease, has also been found in California.

"Citrus growers in South Texas and across the country have become vulnerable to destructive plant pests," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Every dollar that we invest in these crucial programs and research initiatives puts our producers one step closer to fighting off this devastating disease so that they can continue giving consumers access to affordable, fresh fruit."

The HLB-MAC is focused on unique short-term solutions to help the citrus industry, and is the only dedicated funding source that has developed successful pathways to provide immediate relief. Helping growers explore new possible solutions, this program has been incredibly popular and effective.

Congressman Gonzalez is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 3509, the Citrus Investment in Treatment and Research for U.S. Sustainability (CITRUS) Act that would reauthorize these programs until fiscal year 2023. Congressman Gonzalez is proud to have helped secure funding for programs that increase the economic viability of citrus growers in the Rio Grande Valley and across the United States.