Mar 18, 2015

Farm bill funding boosts pest projects

USDA recently announced $57.9 million in funding, provided by the 2014 Farm Bill, to support project suggestions from across the country to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests, diseases and pathogens, as well as to ensure the availability of a healthy supply of clean plant stock in the United States.

The economic stakes for stopping invasive species are high, with scientists estimating the total economic cost of all invasive species to be approximately $120 billion annually, according to USDA.

Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill supports two programs: Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Programs and the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN).

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is funding 438 suggestions across the United States, as well as in Guam and Puerto Rico. Funded Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Programs suggestions include:

• $1.5 million to support eradication of the invasive spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania
• $290,951 to analyze adult honeybee samples from across multiple states for diseases and pests such as the Varroa mite
• $504,317 for 39 states to survey bee populations and study bee health
• Funding for states to enhance their ability to survey for grape commodity pests and disease ($489,405), stone fruit pests ($1.07 million) and small fruit and mixed berries ($155,443).

APHIS also is allocating $5 million in funding as part of NCPN in support of 25 projects in 18 states that focus on providing high-quality propagated plant material free of targeted plant pathogens and pests. This year, APHIS is funding projects to support developing and propagating pest-free fruit trees, grapes, hops, berries, citrus, roses and sweet potatoes.

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