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FAQ's
About the Board and Funding
About the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
About Pierce's Disease
About the Board and Funding
Q) Why was the assessment and PD/GWSS Board created?
A) California Assembly Bill 1394 created an assessment to raise funds
earmarked for research related to the Pierce's Disease bacterium (Xylella
fastidiosa) and the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter. As part of the bill,
the Pierce's Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board was created to
direct those funds. The assessment pertains only to grapes grown in
California and crushed for wine, wine vinegar, juice concentrate or
beverage brandy, and is due to expire in 2006. Senate Bill 1650 which
extends the assessment until 2011, was signed by the governor and now
goes to winegrape growers for a vote.
Q) How long has the PD/GWSS Board been in existence?
A) The Board was established in July 2001.
Q) How many people are on the board?
A) The board consists of at least 14 members and no more than 15 members,
with a specific number of representatives who are producers and processors
in the grape industry and appointed by the CDFA Secretary. Click here
for a list
Q) At what rates have winegrape growers been assessed?
A) Each year the PD/GWSS Board makes recommendations to CFDA for the
assessment rate which by law can be no greater than $3 per $1,000 of
value per ton. In 2001 the rate was set at $3 per $1000. In 2002 - $2
per $1000 2003 - $2 per $1000 2004 - $2 per $1000.
Q) How much has the assessment raised?
A) Approximately $14.6 million as of May 2004.
Q) How much has been spent on research.
A) Since 2000 approximately $35.9 million
Q) How many research projects have been funded so far?
A) Over 100.
Q) What is the total amount that has been spent on control, containment,
research and inspections?
A) Since 2000, $166.1 million, which includes pilot projects, the Grapevine
Loss Assistance Program and Nursery Pest Mitigation Program, the PD/GWSS
Board and many other smaller programs.
For more info - click here
About the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
Q) When did the GWSS arrive in California?
A) It is believed that it arrived in California in the late 1980s, probably
from Florida. However, it wasn't until 1999, when grape vines started
dying on a massive scale in Temecula, that the full extent of the threat
the GWSS posed to California agriculture was recognized.
Q) Why is it a threat to grapes?
A) The GWSS carries a disease called Pierce's Disease that is deadly
to grape vines.
Q) Does it pose a threat to other plants?
A) Yes - the GWSS is known to feed on more than 100 plant species found
in urban and rural landscapes and spreads other diseases such as Leaf
scorch to almonds and Alfalfa dwarf to alfalfa. In addition, GWSSs can
weaken plants making them susceptible to diseases not carried by the
GWSS itself.
Q) How can the GWSS be killed?
A) There are a number of effective ways of controll the GWSS ranging
from chemical treatments to the release of biological control agents,
such as a tiny wasp that feeds on the eggs of the GWSS. However, GWSS
has established itself in much of Southern and Central California, so
at this time total eradication of the insect from the state is not possible.
Q) How widespread in the GWSS in California?
A) As of October 2004 there were infestation of GWSS in 14 counties.
Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento,
San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Solano, Tulare,
Ventura.
For more info on the GWSS - click here
About Pierce's Disease
Q) What is Pierce's Disease?
A) The PD bacterium clogs a vine's water conducting vessels, interfering
with their ability to draw water and other nutrients from the soil.
In effect the vine slowly starves to death.
Q) How long has PD been in California?
A) PD was first identified in California over 100 years ago and was
then called Anaheim Disease because it was killing grape vines in and
around Anaheim. Over the decades, there have been several major outbreaks
of the disease. The introduction of the GWSS into California has given
PD an effective new vector to spread the disease.
Q) Can it be transmitted to humans?
A) No - it only affects certain plants.
Q) How long does it take to kill a vine?
A) Depending on the age and health of the vine, generally two to four
years.
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