If you’re a regular reader of Central Florida Ag News, you know there’s no shortage of scientists fervently working to combat citrus greening. Phillip Rucks has dedicated many of his columns to the range of promising technologies in development, including Soilcea’s CarriCea rootstock and Silvec Biologics’ spinach-based peptide, currently in the works and awaiting EPA approval. That last step, however, is a doozy.
To be fair, progress rarely moves quickly when the government is involved. That’s not a criticism; it’s simply the reality. Add in complications like government shutdowns, and the timeline stretches even more.
Meanwhile, growers and the citrus industry as a whole are in dire need of a win, especially one that comes with a greenlight to implement the latest breakthrough technologies and rootstocks.
Just this week, members of the Florida congressional delegation took action, sending a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency “to expeditiously complete its review” of emerging citrus rootstock technologies.
The letter, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, acknowledges that while tools like oxytetracycline injections have provided some relief, they serve more as a stopgap than a solution. It specifically mentions rootstock technologies developed using CRISPR that “turn off” the genetic traits that make trees susceptible to infection.
Franklin notes that Florida growers are prepared to invest in more than 2.5 million new trees this year, but “regulatory certainty” and “access to solutions” must come first.
“Timely, science-based regulatory decisions will be critical to restoring confidence and ensuring the continued availability” of citrus.
Here’s hoping this push helps to move things forward. I know I’m not alone when I express my gratitude to the Florida delegation for their support of Florida’s citrus industry. There’s a lot riding on these emerging technologies, including a lot of hope.