California wineries request US$32 million to fight vineyard pest

Senators have requested the immediate release of emergency funds from the US Department of Agriculture to “contain and eradicate” the glassy-winged sharpshooter before it decimates vineyards across California.

As Californian vines enter into veraison (grape colouring and softening), two of the state’s Senators have asked for urgent government help to protect vineyards against a pest that could “pose a potentially catastrophic threat” to this year’s harvest.

If the pest, known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is left unchecked, there could be “significant economic stakes” for Californian agriculture, said Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with US Representatives Mike Thompson and David Valadao.

In a letter written to the US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on 18 June, the politicians emphasised the “time-sensitive” nature of their request for “the immediate release of $32.2 million” to help “contain and eradicate the pest”, which can cause Pierce’s Disease, an affliction that kills grapevines by clogging their water-conducting vessels.

Source of the problem

Earlier this month, db reported that US agricultural officials had discovered an invasive pest capable of spreading a devastating vine disease. The source was found to be a number of infected grapevines sold through retail giant Costco, with 63 affected vines initially located and destroyed.

The infected vines originated from a single nursery, the products of which were distributed to Costco locations in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Kings, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties.

Letter of appeal

In a letter written to the US Department of Agriculture to plead for funding to combat the threat, the Senators wrote:

“The movement of infested nursery stock into and near key grape-producing regions, including areas critical to California’s winegrape and fresh table grape production, significantly elevates the urgency of this response.

“This pest and its associated disease pose a potentially catastrophic threat to these industries. If left unchecked, the California Department of Food and Agriculture estimates that losses associated with the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) could eclipse US$104 million annually.”

If granted, the Senators wrote, the funding would support “emergency response efforts, including tracing, surveying, and trapping, as well as implementing ongoing trapping and survey programmes for the next three years.”

They called on the government department to draw down funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) in order to help winegrowers.

“Federal law (7 USC 7772) authorises you to transfer funds from the CCC  ‘in connection with an emergency in which a plant pest or noxious weed threatens any segment of the agricultural production.’

“Given the breadth and scope of the outbreak we face today, we believe the necessary conditions have been met, and we therefore ask that you authorise a transfer without delay.”

Four year battle on the cards

Ongoing support is crucial, stressed the Senators, as staving off the threat could take up to four years.

“When GWSS becomes more prevalent, as we fear it will, it is expected to cost an additional $3.5 million per year for four years for eradication, totalling ($14 million),” they wrote.

Signing off, they added: “Thank you for your attention to this matter. The wine, winegrape, and table grape industries are a highlight of American agriculture, and your support during this challenging time will ensure U.S. wine and table grapes can continue to compete in the global market.”

Sniffer dogs

Last year, db reported that a pilot project taking place in California was using sniffer dogs to detect vine mealybugs and leafroll viruses in grapevines.

The trial, which involved the training of four dogs – a Labrador, two Springer Spaniels and a German Shorthaired Pointer – was funded with a US$428,111 (£343,000) grant from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Ultimately, the dogs were able to detect leafroll 3 viruses in 93.4% of cases, according to the trial’s results, and were capable of detecting the presence of vine mealybugs with 97.3% accuracy.

It is thought that the canine programme would cost winegrowers less than $0.25 per increase block vine and less than $0.01 per finished vine to implement.

 

 

 

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