U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, made the following statement after attending and speaking at Florida Citrus Mutual’s Crop Estimate Luncheon, where the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its first outlook for the FY2017 growing period:
“I was grateful, once again, to attend the annual Crop Estimate Luncheon and to be part of such an important event that forecasts Florida’s agricultural imprint on our nation and the world. This afternoon's citrus crop estimate of 70 million boxes shows that our citrus industry is suffering from a historical decline, but we are resilient and our growers remain optimistic.
“Florida’s citrus industry is not only one of the state’s greatest attributes, but also the livelihood to tens of thousands of Floridians. I feel blessed to have grown up surrounded by citrus groves and farmers, and I am honored to now represent them in Congress. Florida’s citrus industry has been hit with hard times throughout the past few years, but I know the folks in this industry are fighters, and I will continue fighting along with them to ensure Florida remains the citrus capital of the world.”
Citrus and Agriculture Legislation Supported by Ross
- Cosponsored and voted to pass the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a full deduction in the current taxable year of the cost of replanting lost or damaged citrus plants.
- Supported more than $150 million in funding to combat citrus greening, including voting to pass the Conference Report on the Agricultural Act of 2014, which states the Citrus Research and Extension Initiative will receive $25 million annually to help fight the deadly disease.
- Voted to pass the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which reversed detrimental cuts previously made to the Crop Insurance program, the most valuable tool farmers have in their risk management plans.
Florida Citrus Industry
Last October, the USDA’s FY2016 Florida citrus production forecast was estimated at 80 million boxes, with 81.5 million boxes collected this past harvest. The FY2017 production forecast is estimated at 70 million boxes. One box weighs 90 pounds. This estimated fifth annual output decline marks the longest decline since at least 1913.
The spread of citrus greening throughout the past decade has raised production costs, hindered output, and increased orange juice prices by nearly 40 percent. Acreage, as well, has declined to the lowest since 1966.
Also, while it is unknown how much damage groves fully suffered from Hurricane Matthew, the storm’s heavy rainfall and strong winds did cause fruit to fall off trees, further harming next year’s production rate.
Source:house.gov