Brasília, August 8, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Between now and October, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply will make R$ 5.1 million available to the Fund for the Protection of Citriculture (Fundecitrus). These resources will be used to combat citrus sudden death, a disease that has been attacking orange groves in the south of Minas Gerais and the northwest of São Paulo. With these funds, laboratory studies will be conducted, and information will be gathered on this malady. The liberation of R$ 1.15 million was authorized this week. Another R$ 1 million will be released, beginning in September, for the work of the task force created to detect the disease.

According to information provided by the Ministry, in October another R$ 3 million will be transferred to the secretariats of Agriculture in the states and municipalities affected by citrus sudden death. The money will be channeled through agreements with state and municipal organs that develop measures to erradicate the disease.

Citrus sudden death has already attacked a million orange trees in groves in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná over the past two years, causing losses estimated at US$ 20 million. Brazil is the world's largest producer of orange juice and the chief producer of the fruit. (DAS)