Dominican Republic HLB outbreak leaves 5000 unemployed
May 04 , 2011
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Citrus greening disease has destroyed 34,000 plants in the Dominican Republic, posing a serious threat to growers in Hato Mayor, El Seibo and Higüey, website Almomento.net reported. 
Businessman Ricardo Barceló told the website Agriculture Ministry authorities were doing nothing to stop the disease, otherwise known as 'Huanglongbing' (HLB), from potentially driving Hato Mayor's 500 orange producers into bankruptcy.
He said as a result many producers were diversifying into pineapple and passion fruit harvesting, while the disease had already left 5000 people unemployed, the story reported.
Related story: HLB disease could affect 60% of Mexico's citrus industry
Photo: USDA
