H.R. 1455 · 118th Congress

Plantain and Banana Plant Health Initiative Act

Stage
In committee
Introduced
2023-03-08
Latest action
2023-04-04 · Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Summary

Plantain and Banana Plant Health Initiative Act

This bill establishes a research and extension grant program for a plantain and banana plant health initiative.

Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide competitive grants for

studying potential resistance and tolerance to nonnative diseases and insect pests; increasing research for treatment of pests that affect plantains and bananas; conducting field studies to evaluate plantain and banana cultivars with enhanced resistance to diseases and pests, and adaptability to tropical soils; educating growers on best practices to promote safe production of plantains and bananas; and establishing area-wide integrated pest management programs in areas affected by, or at risk of being affected by, specified pests.