Florida Recieves Legislative Boost in Funding for Citrus Products

New legislation concerning Agriculture - the 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill - provides $2 million in funding for citrus research in the state of Florida. This legislation eliminates all unnecessary projects and possibilities that otherwise had distracted the state of Florida by way of bureaucratic and regulatory 'red tape' such that projects no longer face long and complicated delays.

“The funding in this bill will advance critical research to detect, manage, and ultimately find a cure for citrus greening disease. This is an important step forward, but I will continue working to increase citrus disease funding and ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely.”

Florida Congressman Tom Rooney also stated that citrus greening, a disease spread in nature, could cost his state 76,000 jobs and 200,000 acres of land - all of which have been and are devoted to such farming as oranges and therefore the making of orange juice. He clarified further.

“Our bill saves taxpayer money by targeting funds to programs that work, while cutting inefficient, wasteful projects,” Rooney said. “We’ve also cut through red tape and reined in regulatory overreach onto farms in Florida and across the country.”

The discretionary funding of the bill totals $20.65 billion. And, although this funding amounts to $175 million less than the funding for the fiscal year of 2015, it does save taxpayers money by eliminating those projects which were not effective in treating citrus greening disease.