The PD/GWSS Board voted during their June 21 meeting to recommend raising the winegrape assessment for the 2016 harvest to $1.25 per $1,000 of value.
Dr. David Gilchrist gives an update on the grapevine field trials at the June 21 joint meeting of the PD/GWSS Board and the PD Advisory Task Force.
The rate had been set at $.75 per $1,000 of value since 2013 but the Board recognized the need to raise the assessment rate to pay for current and future research obligations while maintaining a prudent reserve.
The assessment funds research to find solutions to Pierce’s disease, a deadly grapevine bacterial disease vectored by the glassy-winged sharpshooter and similar types of insects.
Assessment funds are also used to fund research and outreach on other winegrape pests and diseases. These pests and diseases are designated by the Board as posing serious dangers to winegrapes. So far the European grapevine moth (EGVM), mealybugs, brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), red blotch (GRBaV), fanleaf, and leafroll have all been designated as serious threats to California’s winegrapes and the Board has funded research on most of these.
The recommendation will soon be sent to CDFA Secretary Karen Ross for her final approval.
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