Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Plantain and Banana Plant Health Initiative Act”.
Plantain and Banana Plant Health Initiative Act
A BILL
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to provide research and extension grants to support the study of insects and pests that impact plantains and bananas, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Plantain and banana plant health initiative
In general— Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(21) Plantain and banana health initiative—Research and extension grants may be made under this section for a term of not less than 5 years for the purposes of—
“(A) studying potential resistance and tolerance to nonnative diseases and insect pests;
“(B) increasing research for treatment of pests that affect plantains and bananas, including Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense, Tropical Race 4;
“(C) conducting field studies to evaluate plantain and banana cultivars with enhanced resistance to diseases and pests, and adaptability to tropical soils;
“(D) disseminating information and educating growers on best practices to promote safe production of plantains and bananas; and
“(E) establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by pests such as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense, Tropical Race 4.”
Authorization of appropriations— Section 1672(h) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(h)) is amended by striking “2023” and inserting “2027”.