Reps. Woolsey and Thompson Help Secure Funding in Annual Spending Bill

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) announced today that Congress approved $43 million to combat and research Pierce’s Disease, and other invasive species that pose threats to agriculture, as part of the final version of the 2006 Agricultural spending bill.  Reps. Thompson and Woolsey worked with appropriators to secure the funding.

Pierce’s Disease is a harmful plant virus, spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter.  The disease attacks and kills grapevines.  Last year, a glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation was discovered in Solano County marking the closest point the insects have come to Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties.

“Controlling the spread of the ‘glassy-winged sharpshooter’ is vital to protecting the agricultural diversity of Sonoma and Marin counties that keeps our local economy stable and our quality of life beautiful,” said Rep. Woolsey.  "The funds that Rep. Thompson and I secured will go toward protecting California’s premium wine regions from invasive species and improving the health of viticulture throughout the United States.”

“Our communities’ vigilance and our local education efforts have prevented the spread of sharpshooters and Pierce’s Disease in our region,” said Thompson.  “This continued federal funding will help build upon our local efforts and support important research into eradicating this potentially devastating winegrape disease.”

The $43 million approved in the appropriations bill will be allocated to the following programs.

·  $24.25 million - Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service - The funding will support containment and control of Pierce’s Disease, including trappings, inspections and implementing county plans.

 

·  $10.573 million - Grape Genomics and Genetics/Sustainable Viticulture at UC Davis and Ithaca, NY.

 

·  $3.5 million -Agricultural Research Service - Funding for various research facilities at the University of California at Davis and elsewhere to study the effect of diseases and pests, such as Pierce’s Disease and the sharpshooter, on the vitality of grape crops.

 

·  $2.1 million - Viticulture Consortium - A special grant administered by Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of California.  The funding will enhance research coordination, collaboration, improve efficiency and eliminate duplication of effort for viticulture research.

 

·  $2.2 million - Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service - A special grant for research and education activities.

Containment of the glassy-winged sharpshooter is a top priority for the wine industry.  Over the past four years an unprecedented partnership between federal, state and local government has kept Pierce’s Disease and the sharpshooter at bay.

This $43 million to fight Pierce’s Disease and other invasive species is in addition to the $5.57 million that Reps. Thompson and Woolsey helped secure to combat Sudden Oak Death in the final FY06 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  Since 2000, Reps. Woolsey and Thompson helped secure over $109 million to control the spread of Pierce’s Disease.