Visalia Times-Delta
https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2018/03/26/usda-gives-14-8-california-fight-pests-promote-ag/458738002/

Danielle A Martin, damartin@visaliatimesdelta.com

In an effort to strengthen the nation's battle against plant pests and diseases, California’s citrus growers are about to get a big boost in funding. United States Department of Agriculture announced $14.8 million from the 2014 Farm Bill will go to support several projects related to increasing plant health and pest relief.

The state normally receives an annual allocation from the USDA but this year's money was a "bit of a bump," industry professionals said. 

"The amount changes every year," said Joel Nelsen, CEO of California Citrus Mutual. "It's larger than last year, which we believe to be very positive."

Whenever the industry receives money from the state or national government it is dispersed to ag commissioners, treatment for invasive pests or disease and outreach or consumer education, Nelsen said. 

"We are pleased to partner with California to provide critical farm bill funds that will put innovative ideas into action and help us overcome our shared invasive pest and disease challenges,” said USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach.

Ibach reports to U.S Secretary of Ag, Sonny Perdue. Perdue recently visited Tulare and saw a glimpse of the state's diverse agriculture during the 2018 World Ag Expo. 

“California is a critical partner in protecting U.S. agriculture. These projects will enable California to protect its own resources, and, in doing so, contribute to USDA’s mission of keeping our nation’s agriculture economy healthy and strong," Ibach added.

The Asian citrus psyllid, a tiny gnat size pest that can carry a disease deadly to citrus trees, has already crippled and wiped out groves in Latin America, India, the Middle East and in Florida. California, which ranks second in the nation after Florida in citrus production, is now the most important front in the fight against the psyllid, because the pest has been found here. 

"I think its vitally important that Congress and USDA recognize the importance of this situation in California as well as the diversity of our food and fiber production," Neslen said. "We are very pleased."

Other projects include:

Nelsen said it's critical that the government sees the problems and addresses them. One of the many issues includes the fight against the Asian Citrus Psyllid, which devastated crops in Florida.

·  $4.3 million to survey for harmful exotic fruit fly populations in the State;

·  $3.5 million to support the activities of California’s agricultural detector dog teams searching for harmful, exotic plant pests in packages at mail and express parcel delivery facilities;

·  $1.8 million to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks for citrus, grapes, fruit trees, sweet potato, and roses;

·  $1.7 million to support California’s Emergency Plant Health Response Teams for responding to, delimiting the infestation area, and managing outbreaks of exotic plant pests;

·  $1.3 million for survey activities for plant pests such as Asian defoliator moths, Khapra beetle, and pests harmful to citrus, stone fruit, and palm commodities;

·  $1.1 million to develop or enhance plant pest and disease diagnostic and identification technologies for exotic fruit flies, cyst-forming nematodes, downy mildew, and others;

·  $740,000 to develop best management practices for pest and disease mitigation at ornamental nurseries;

·  $260,000 to identify and use predatory insects as biological control tools for the insect pests Bagrada bug and shot hole borer; 

·  $80,000 to support the improvement of Varroa mite resistant commercial honey bee stocks; and

·  $9,000 for the development of molecular tools for the detection of gall-forming nematodes in the family Anguinidae.