[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 131 (Friday, July 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 41930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17151]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 131 / Friday, July 7, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 41930]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. 00-060-1]


Declaration of Emergency Because of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

    The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata), a primary 
vector of the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease, is becoming 
established in areas of the State of California.
    Pierce's disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, is an 
extremely serious plant disease that affects grapes. Infection 
interferes with the transport of water through grape vines, resulting 
in severely reduced fruit production and eventually the death of the 
vine. There is no treatment for the disease; once a grapevine has 
contracted Pierce's disease, the vine cannot be saved. Pierce's disease 
is spread over distances by the highly mobile glassy-winged 
sharpshooter.
    Pierce's disease is endemic to States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, 
as well as mid-Atlantic States in the southeastern United States. 
Glassy-winged sharpshooter is also indigenous to many of these areas. 
However, native grapevines in these areas of the southeastern United 
States appear to be tolerant of Pierce's disease, which limits the 
effect the disease has on grape production there. Therefore, no 
regulatory measures have been taken, or will be taken, to control the 
spread of Pierce's disease in the southeastern United States.
    Infestations of Pierce's disease, combined with the recent 
introduction of glassy-winged sharpshooter, in limited areas of 
California are presenting a serious threat to grape vineyards in that 
State. Production grape vines in California have no tolerance for 
Pierce's disease. Therefore, if glassy-winged sharpshooter is allowed 
to spread from recently infested areas in California, the overall crop 
loss and effects on quality as a result of the spread of Pierce's 
disease could be significant. The estimated annual value of 
California's grape industry is at least $6 billion. If steps are not 
taken to eradicate glassy-winged sharpshooter in the recently infested 
areas in California where it is now known to be present, there is every 
possibility the disease will eventually spread to other areas of the 
State, and to other areas of the United States, where susceptible 
grapes are produced. This would result in substantial losses to 
producers of grapes, and to those industries that transport, process, 
or otherwise utilize this fruit. Consumers would also be affected by a 
reduction in the quantity and quality of grapes available, and by 
increased prices.
    Five distinct strategies have been identified for responding to the 
glassy-winged sharpshooter in California: (1) A State regulatory 
program to inspect nursery stock for the presence of glassy-winged 
sharpshooter before the nursery stock moves from the areas in 
California where the pest is now known to be present to other areas in 
the State; (2) a State-wide survey program adequate to detect any 
additional infestations of glassy-winged sharpshooter that may be 
present; (3) control operations to establish multi-county pest 
management areas and apply appropriate insecticide treatments; (4) a 
research program to identify alternative methods of control and 
eradication, such as biological controls; and (5) an educational 
campaign to help the public identify the glassy-winged sharpshooter and 
the symptoms of Pierce's disease. Initial action was taken by the 
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is 
working on the detection of glassy-winged sharpshooter in California 
and on research into new biological control technologies aimed at 
preventing the spread of Pierce's disease.
    Additional funds are needed to conduct the control and eradication 
programs deemed necessary to protect grape production areas in 
California.
    Therefore, in accordance with section 442, title IV, of the 
Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-224), I 
declare that there is an emergency that threatens the grape crop of 
California, and I authorize the transfer and use of such sums as may be 
necessary from appropriations or other funds available to agencies or 
corporations of the United States Department of Agriculture for the 
conduct of a program in California to control and prevent the spread of 
glassy-winged sharpshooter and Pierce's disease in California and to 
other noninfested areas of the United States.
    Effective Date: This declaration of emergency shall become 
effective June 23, 2000.

Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 00-17151 Filed 7-06-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U