US House passes bill to help citrus industry sponsored by Lakeland's Rep. Scott Franklin

The Ledger
·2 min read
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The U.S. House has passed the Block Grant Assistance Act (H.R. 662), a measure sponsored by Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, that gives the U.S. Department of Agriculture the authority to issue block grants to agriculture producers affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

More than 90% of all Florida citrus production was impacted by hurricanes in 2022, totaling 375,302 acres, Franklin’s office said in a news release. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services expects the losses to cost the industry as much as $675 million.

In 2018, Congress gave the USDA the authority to issue block grants to states to assist with recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma, the release said. In conjunction with the USDA Farm Service Agency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant Program was created to support citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma.

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“The Florida citrus industry is synonymous with the Sunshine State and the backbone of many of our rural communities,” Franklin said in the release. “Extreme hurricane seasons, ongoing trade disadvantages and invasive diseases have forced citrus growers to navigate significant challenges. I’m pleased the House acted to provide needed support so Americans can continue to enjoy the staples our domestic citrus industry provides.”

The measure drew support from Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, the Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the release said. It still requires passage in the Senate and the signature of President Joe Biden to become law.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: US House passes citrus bill pushed by Lakeland's Scott Rep. Franklin