Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“Florida’s iconic citrus industry and its growers continue to struggle with the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Irma. This damage, combined with the cumulative impacts of citrus greening, leaves Florida’s growers in desperate need of support. I will continue to work with Governor Scott and leaders in Washington to get Florida’s growers the relief they need to rebuild and replant.”
The USDA’s forecast today of 46 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season, unchanged from the December estimate, is down 8 million boxes from the 54 million boxes predicted at the start of the season.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In the weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Federal Assistance
Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast, Need for Federal Assistance
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“While much of the state has recovered and moved on from Hurricane Irma, Florida’s citrus growers continue to grapple with the unprecedented damage, which is still unfolding in many groves. Florida’s growers need support and they need it as quickly as possible. I will continue to work with Governor Scott and leaders in Washington to get Florida’s growers the support and relief they need to rebuild.”
The USDA’s forecast of 46 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is down four million boxes from the November estimate. Today’s forecast represents a decline of more than 80 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.
Senate Panel OKs Bill Allowing Federal Assistance For Toxic Algae Outbreaks
A key senate panel today approved legislation that, for the first time, could open the door to federal assistance for states and local communities hard hit by toxic algae blooms.
The measure, sponsored by Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, unanimously cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on a voice vote.
“Floridians have borne the brunt of recent toxic algae outbreaks, but by law have been unable to qualify for federal help,” said Nelson, the top Democrat on the panel. “Algae blooms are more than just a nuisance — it can be an environmental, economic, and public health nightmare that warrants emergency relief.”
Last summer, a massive, toxic bloom began in Lake Okeechobee, spreading to the Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee River and the coastline causing widespread and severe environmental and economic damage.
Under Nelson’s measure, the heads of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have the authority to declare a severe harmful algal bloom or hypoxic event as nationally significant, triggering access to federal resources.
The legislation also authorizes the use of $11o million over a five year period for research into the causes and control of large algae blooms and hypoxia.
Nelson has long championed efforts in the Senate aimed at curbing the impacts of toxic algae blooms. In 2014, he successfully shepherded a law through Congress that authorized $82 million for research to help battle toxic algae outbreaks.
The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Full text of Nelson’s measure is available here.
