CDFA ISSUES REGULATIONS FOR SHIPMENT OF GRAPES AND NURSERY STOCK
New Rules to Take Effect Immediately

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has introduced new statewide regulations on the shipment of bulk grapes and nursery stock throughout California.

The new rules, which are now in effect following approval by the state Office of Administrative Law, pertain to regions currently infested by the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a pest responsible for the spread of Pierce's Disease, which threatens much of California agriculture.

The regulations require wholesale nurseries and Agricultural Commissioners in infested regions to certify that every shipment of bulk grapes and nursery stock is "free-from" the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The rules have been crafted for consistency in all affected counties.

"California agriculture has been working with us to develop additional methods to protect crops", said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. "We're confident that a single statewide plan offers the best opportunity for smooth shipments of plants and grapes".

The wine industry is supportive of CDFA's efforts. "It is critical that we stop the movement of the pest into counties that do not have infestations", said Karen Ross, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. " Our members are extremely grateful for the swift action of the state and federal government to address the serious problem we face".

Counties currently infested with the glassy-winged sharpshooter are San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Fresno, Tulare and Sacramento.

Under the leadership of California Governor Gray Davis, a sum of $36 million dollars has been secured in recent weeks to battle the glassy-winged sharpshooter and Pierce's Disease.

For more information, log-on to CDFA's glassy-winged sharpshooter web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov.