Key House Committee Approves $42 Million to Combat Pierce's Disease

The House Appropriations Committee today has approved $42 million in funding to fight Pierce's Disease and the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) requested the funding as part of the FY2005 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Pierce's Disease is a harmful plant virus, spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The disease attacks and kills grapevines. It is responsible for the complete destruction of more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Temecula starting in the late 1990's that cost growers and the California economy tens of millions of dollars. Rep. Thompson, noting that sharpshooters were found recently in Vacaville, called the funding timely and critical. “The California wine industry creates $45 billion a year in wages, revenue and economic activity. This funding will continue to help protect the industry from the sharpshooter and the destructive virus it spreads.” Containment of the glassy-winged sharpshooter is a top priority for the wine industry. Over the past three years an unprecedented partnership between federal, state and local government has kept Pierce's Disease and the sharpshooter at bay. Thompson praised Rep. Sam Farr (D-Central Coast), a member of the Appropriations Committee and representative of another premium California wine region, for his help in securing the funding. The $42 million approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee will be allocated to the following programs. · $6.3 million -Agricultural Research Serviceâ€"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. · $2.113 million - University of California, Special Research Grantâ€"Funding for research and education activities on Pierce's Disease. · $2.1 million - Viticulture Consortiumâ€" 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 million - Center for Exotic Pest Research at the University of California - A special grant for research and education activities. · $23.5 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. · $6 million - Grape Genomics Lab/Sustainable Viticulture Building at UC Davis and Ithaca, NY. The next step for the funding is consideration by the full House of Representatives. Rep. Thompson is a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus. # # #