CDFA SECRETARY LYONS IN DISCUSSION WITH MEXICAN GOVERNMENT

Agenda Touches on Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter and Other Pest Prevention Programs

SACRAMENTO, May 11, 2001-California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. continued discussions with Mexican agriculture leaders at a meeting this week in the California border town of San Ysidro. Secretary Lyons was joined by officials from the United States Department of Agriculture for discussions with the Mexican agricultural agency SAGARPA on agricultural pest problems that exist on both sides of the border.

The agenda included presentations on Pierce’s disease, with an emphasis on research and the current positioning of the disease in California. The bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease, which threatens grapevines, is spread by the Glassy-winged sharpshooter, which is the target of a $40 million pest control program in California. Efforts to control and eradicate the Olive Fruit Fly in California were also discussed.

“It’s important to get together regularly and address these issues of mutual concern,” said Secretary Lyons. “Cooperation and discussion with Mexico only enhances our ability to solve these problems.”

It was the second meeting with Mexican representatives in three weeks for Lyons, who attended another session recently in Mexicali, allowing for discussions of the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease threat with the Secretary of SAGARPA and the Governor of Baja California.

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