House Approves Nearly $40 Million for Local Agriculture Priorities
August 3, 2007
Rep. Mike Thompson secured approximately $39.4 million for local agriculture priorities and research in the FY08 agriculture spending bill, which was passed last night by the House of Representatives.
“Agriculture is a vital part of our local economy, which is why I've made supporting agriculture one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Thompson. “The success of our farmers and ranchers depends on protecting their crops from harmful pests and disease, and this funding will better equip them to do just that.”
The $39.4 million includes funding for the following projects:
-$32.247 million- Pierce's Disease, Research and Control - Pierce's Disease is a harmful plant virus that is spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter. In the late 1990's, this pest was responsible for the complete destruction of more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Temecula that cost growers and the California economy tens of millions of dollars. This funding will be allocated to plant inspection programs and viticulture research institutions.
-$3.172 million- Sudden Oak Death, Research and Control - Sudden Oak Death is a fungus-like pathogen that has decimated oak trees, and can even infect other plant species like our prized Redwood trees. This disease has stricken at least 12 of California's counties and has spread to the Pacific Northwest. This funding will be allocated to the research, eradication and control of this pathogen.
-$826,638- Olive Fruit Fly, Research and Control - The Olive Fruit Fly is the world's most disastrous olive pest and has infested thousands of acres of California's olive groves, jeopardizing the state's vital olive oil and table olive industries.
-$2.69 million- Viticulture and Tree Crop Research - This funding will support the planning and construction of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ Agriculture Research Service (ARS) facility for advanced viticulture and tree crop research, which will be located at UC Davis.
-$444,820 -Biological Broomweed Research - Exotic brooms (Spanish, French, Scotch, and Portuguese brooms) are invasive plants that cause economic and environmental losses to forestry, agriculture, and rangelands in the Western United States. This funding will allow the development of biological controls and re-vegetation technologies to combat these invasive and dangerous plants.
“These diseases and pests have been a constant threat to the farms and ranches in our region,” added Thompson. “Thus far, our local efforts to control them have been successful, but it is important for us to continue these prevention efforts.”
The bill must now be approved by the Senate before being sent to the president.
CONTACT:
Anne Warden (Thompson) at (202) 225-3311, (703) 338-4480 or anne.warden@mail.house.gov.
“Agriculture is a vital part of our local economy, which is why I've made supporting agriculture one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Thompson. “The success of our farmers and ranchers depends on protecting their crops from harmful pests and disease, and this funding will better equip them to do just that.”
The $39.4 million includes funding for the following projects:
-$32.247 million- Pierce's Disease, Research and Control - Pierce's Disease is a harmful plant virus that is spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter. In the late 1990's, this pest was responsible for the complete destruction of more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Temecula that cost growers and the California economy tens of millions of dollars. This funding will be allocated to plant inspection programs and viticulture research institutions.
-$3.172 million- Sudden Oak Death, Research and Control - Sudden Oak Death is a fungus-like pathogen that has decimated oak trees, and can even infect other plant species like our prized Redwood trees. This disease has stricken at least 12 of California's counties and has spread to the Pacific Northwest. This funding will be allocated to the research, eradication and control of this pathogen.
-$826,638- Olive Fruit Fly, Research and Control - The Olive Fruit Fly is the world's most disastrous olive pest and has infested thousands of acres of California's olive groves, jeopardizing the state's vital olive oil and table olive industries.
-$2.69 million- Viticulture and Tree Crop Research - This funding will support the planning and construction of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ Agriculture Research Service (ARS) facility for advanced viticulture and tree crop research, which will be located at UC Davis.
-$444,820 -Biological Broomweed Research - Exotic brooms (Spanish, French, Scotch, and Portuguese brooms) are invasive plants that cause economic and environmental losses to forestry, agriculture, and rangelands in the Western United States. This funding will allow the development of biological controls and re-vegetation technologies to combat these invasive and dangerous plants.
“These diseases and pests have been a constant threat to the farms and ranches in our region,” added Thompson. “Thus far, our local efforts to control them have been successful, but it is important for us to continue these prevention efforts.”
The bill must now be approved by the Senate before being sent to the president.
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CONTACT:
Anne Warden (Thompson) at (202) 225-3311, (703) 338-4480 or anne.warden@mail.house.gov.
Issues:Energy & Environment