USDA abandons canker plan
USDA abandons canker plan
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services Charles H. Bronson has received word from top U.S. Department of Agriculture officials that it no longer believes that it is possible to eradicate citrus canker.
Officials said that based on USDA's scientific analysis of the potential spread of the disease from the unprecedented 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a new management plan must be devised.
USDA officials said that the program needs to undertake a new approach that focuses on maintaining bacteria levels low enough to sustain citrus production and protect citrus groves that have not been infested with canker. In the meantime, the department will no longer fund tree removal that is done with eradication as the goal. The federal agency, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, intends to develop a response plan with scientific, industry and public input that will limit further tree removal and implement management practices that will accomplish the goals of controlling and suppressing canker infestations.
The change comes after a review of scientific research that indicates Hurricane Wilma may have spread the disease to the point where an estimated 168,000 to 220,000 aces of commercial citrus could be infected with canker. This is in addition to the more than 80,000 acres of commercial citrus that was affected by the 2004 hurricanes.
"Unfortunately, everything the scientists predicted has come true," Mr. Bronson said. "The legal delays and unprecedented hurricanes enabled the bacteria to leapfrog significantly beyond the 1,900-foot cutting zone that science showed was necessary to prevent spread under normal weather conditions."
Officials said that based on USDA's scientific analysis of the potential spread of the disease from the unprecedented 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a new management plan must be devised.
USDA officials said that the program needs to undertake a new approach that focuses on maintaining bacteria levels low enough to sustain citrus production and protect citrus groves that have not been infested with canker. In the meantime, the department will no longer fund tree removal that is done with eradication as the goal. The federal agency, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, intends to develop a response plan with scientific, industry and public input that will limit further tree removal and implement management practices that will accomplish the goals of controlling and suppressing canker infestations.
The change comes after a review of scientific research that indicates Hurricane Wilma may have spread the disease to the point where an estimated 168,000 to 220,000 aces of commercial citrus could be infected with canker. This is in addition to the more than 80,000 acres of commercial citrus that was affected by the 2004 hurricanes.
"Unfortunately, everything the scientists predicted has come true," Mr. Bronson said. "The legal delays and unprecedented hurricanes enabled the bacteria to leapfrog significantly beyond the 1,900-foot cutting zone that science showed was necessary to prevent spread under normal weather conditions."
