July 26, 2000
SAN FRANCISCO - Wine Institute applauds the introduction of new state regulations on the shipment of bulk grapes and nursery stock throughout California to fight the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the Pierce's disease that it carries. The California Department of Food and Agriculture established the emergency regulations to set standards for the safe movement of winegrapes from counties infested with the glassy-winged sharpshooter or counties that have not yet completed a survey verifying its status.
"The Department's action is very timely as the winegrape harvest season is about to commence full-time within the next couple of weeks," said Wine Institute President and CEO John De Luca. "CDFA's regulatory action assures the orderly movement of millions of tons of grapes without posing significant risk of spreading Pierce's disease. The grower and vintner communities are strongly behind the Department's leadership."
A large portion of California's winegrapes are harvested and sent across county lines to their processing wineries. The state's science panel believes that grapes pose minimal risk of transporting the glassy-winged sharpshooter.
Wine Institute also supports CDFA's statewide regulations on the shipment of nursery stock. According to reports, nursery stock shipments from infested areas of the state have been the source of most of the glassy-winged sharpshooter interceptions in central and northern California inspections. CDFA's new protocol would greatly diminish the risk of spreading glassy-winged sharpshooters because every shipment of nursery stock will have to be certified "pest-free."
Pierce's Disease Control Program Regulations & Compliance Agreements
Pierce's Disease Control Program
Origin Bulk Grape Compliance Agreement
Origin Bulk Grape Requirements
Destination Bulk Grape Compliance Agreement
Destination Bulk Grape Requirements
Nursery Compliance Agreement
County Agricultural Commissioners (CAC) Responsibilities
