A new task force has been assembled charged with protecting the Texan citrus industry from Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, the devastating disease carried by the Asian citrus psyllid that has hit over 40,000ha of trees in Florida.
'As Texans, we are accustomed to going to the grocery store and having a variety of grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes available for our picking,' said agriculture commissioner Todd Staples in a statement. 'To ensure we continue to have this available and affordable supply of citrus, we are taking action to protect our industry against harmful agricultural pests and diseases.'
Currently the disease does not exist in Texas, but the psyllid has been found in 56 counties and HLB has been discovered in neighbouring Louisiana.
The task force will look to plan protection for the citrus nursing industry and develop a strategy for the possible management of the disease if it should enter Texas.
'With the assistance of the newly created task force, I am certain we can implement appropriate measures that will protect our vital citrus industry and the livelihood of our farmers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley,' Mr Staples added.
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