Cacao Tree Health Initiative Act of 2022
A BILL
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish a cacao tree health initiative, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Cacao tree health initiative
“(21) Cacao tree health initiative—Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—
“(A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat plant pests (as defined in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702)) that affect cacao trees;
“(B) establishing an integrated pest management program for cacao trees in areas affected by or at risk of being affected by such pests;
“(C) surveying and collecting data on cacao tree production, health, and markets;
“(D) investigating cacao tree biology, ecology, genomics, and production systems;
“(E) conducting research on factors that may contribute to, or be associated with, resilient cacao production systems, including—
“(i) the selection and propagation of cacao tree varieties that improve the market advantage of cacao grown in the United States; and
“(ii) best management practices in cacao-growing regions under various climate conditions; and
“(F) conducting research on factors that may contribute to, or be associated with, serious threats to cacao trees, including the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on beneficial insects and cacao tree growth.”