Comment from Eric W Triplett, University of Florida

I am Professor and Chair in the Department of MIcrobiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). I collaborate on the citrus greening problem with scientists at the IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. Our laboratories are approximately 140 miles apart. The select agent rules make it impossible for me to study the presumed causal agent of this disease directly even though the presumed causal agent of citrus greening has been found in many counties in Florida. The causal agent has even been found within the insect vector in my home county, Alachua. Given the endemic nature of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in Florida, the select agent rules now serve no purpose in controlling this agent. The rules only impede the work of those scientists working to find controls on the research. I have applied with APHIS to get a room approved in our building in Gainesville for citrus greening research. That application has been stalled for months even though we were told by the USDA site visitors that our protocols and facilities were fine. I urge you to remove Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus from the select agent list as proposed in this rule. That would be a significant step forward in allowing us to study the causal agent and find treatments for this disease before it spreads to other states.