Feinstein Calls Upon Agriculture Secretary to Immediately Release $7.1 Million To Combat Pierce’s Disease
June 21, 2000

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called upon U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to immediately release the $7.1 million in funds to combat Pierce’s Disease that was were authorized by the Risk Management for the 21st Century Act. This act, which reformed the U.S. Crop Insurance Program, was signed into law by President Clinton today.

In a letter to Secretary Glickman, Senator Feinstein wrote: “Pierce’s disease is the greatest single threat facing the wine and table grape industries in California. The outbreak is being spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter – a small but tenacious leaf-hopping insect – which injects bacteria that slowly chokes off a grapevine’s water supply and eventually destroys the vine.”

“The California Department of Food and Agriculture has developed an action plan that works with local agriculture commissioners to slow the pest while research is being conducted to counter the bacteria. This would include $2 million for inspection and treatment in counties known to be infested, $3.6 million for inspection and treatment of products arriving from infested areas, and $1.5 million for statewide coordination, training, and education. The funds authorized in the Agriculture Risk Protection Act are essential to implementing this plan.”