BUDGET AGREEMENT PROTECTS ESSENTIAL CDFA PROGRAMS

Agency’s General Fund budget at $95.5 million

SACRAMENTO – The budget agreement announced late yesterday by Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature protects essential services at the Department of Food and Agriculture.

CDFA’s $95.5 million General Fund spending plan includes $8.1 million for continued operation of the Preventive Release Program to help keep the Mediterranean fruit fly out of the Los Angeles Basin, and $4.5 million to keep California’s 16 border agricultural inspection stations open. Although the $4.5 million is being redirected from local assistance programs, an additional $8.4 million in revenues from unclaimed gasoline excise tax refunds should help to alleviate the impacts on local programs.

“It is critical that the budget, even in these difficult times, preserves essential programs that protect agriculture, which provides food, fiber and shelter for all Californians in a safe, responsible and fair manner,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “Governor Schwarzenegger deserves full credit and a nod of gratitude for his ability to negotiate this budget without raising taxes.”

CDFA will absorb some reductions in the new budget, including $2 million from the Pierce’s Disease Control Program. Replacement of that funding will be sought from the federal government. 

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