CDFA SECRETARY A.G. KAWAMURA APPLAUDS NRCS FUNDING TO FIGHT EUROPEAN GRAPEVINE MOTH

$1 million dedicated to help farmers with environmentally friendly control options

SACRAMENTO, June 9, 2010 — California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura applauds the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) announcement today that it has dedicated $1 million to help grape farmers control the state’s European grapevine moth (EGVM) infestation with environmentally friendly control options.

“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are a core component in modern agriculture, embracing environmentally sustainable methods of controlling multiple pests simultaneously,” said Kawamura. “This new funding will help farmers incorporate control for the EGVM into their ongoing IPM efforts—and that, in turn, helps our state and federal agricultural officials with their overall efforts to control this infestation.”

EGVM was first discovered in Napa County in September 2009, prompting intensive trapping and quarantine efforts by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and county agricultural commissioners.

“It takes a coordinated and comprehensive effort by several agencies to detect and counteract new pest infestations, and NRCS’ involvement strengthens our collective response,” Kawamura said. “Agriculture is among our nation’s treasured strategic resources, and our ability to protect it is never stronger than when we resolve to work together.”

For further details about the NRCS program, farmers are encouraged to contact their local NRCS office.  The online Service Center Locator is available at: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA. Signups will continue until June 23, 2010.

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