USDA RELEASES UP TO $100 MILLION FOR CANKER COMPENSATION USDA
announced Thursday that up to $100 million is available to compensate all remaining
eligible commercial citrus growers and nursery owners in Florida for losses resulting
from citrus canker eradication efforts undertaken before January 10, 2006. Agriculture
Secretary Mike Johanns made the announcement during an appearance at Florida Citrus
Mutual in Lakeland. Representatives Adam Putnam and Dave Weldon joined Florida
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and about 60 industry members at the
event. The
funding brings total compensation for growers to $636 million. It will settle
about 180 claims now pending because the reimbursement program had run out of
money. Johanns also told the gathering that USDA has designated 29 North Florida counties as "primary natural disaster areas" eligible for low-interest emergency loans to cover losses from drought and strong spring winds in March. ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP (Members-Only
articles are indicated in bold.) | |
