"Why "Citrus Matters" to Los Angeles"

Along with Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual, City Council member Gil Cedillo announced on July 2 that, "Citrus Matters" to Los Angeles. During the event, commercial citrus growers from the region were recognized for their contributions to the state of California and acknowledged the devastating disease that could destroy the state's citrus industry. The announcement also serves to highlight the role Los Angeles residents must play in protecting California's $2.4 billion commercial citrus industry through the #CitrusMatters initiative.

Matthew Fisher and other California citrus growers are threatened by the spread of a dangerous pest and the disease it carries. For every share of this video and use of the hashtag #CitrusMatters, Bayer CropScience will donate $1, up to $25,000, to California Citrus Mutual to support HLB research and programs.

The #CitrusMatters initiative from Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual encourages all residents of California and Los Angeles – where there are more citrus trees on residential property than in commercial groves – to take action to help prevent the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid. It is essential that homeowners with citrus trees on their property understand how to protect their trees and know what to do if they suspect trees are infected. If left untreated, the insects can move quickly from one tree to the next, eventually spreading to the commercial groves that cover much of Southern and Central California.

The #CitrusMatters initiative is part of the ongoing effort by Bayer CropScience to provide citrus growers across the nation with solutions to help combat the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB.

To learn more about the #CitrusMatters initiative and how homeowners, commercial citrus growers and citrus lovers alike can help save citrus, visit citrusmatters.us.