Jul 21, 2022

Winegrape assessment rate set at $1.25 for 2022

The Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board voted during its June 29 meeting to set the winegrape assessment at $1.25 per $1,000 of value for the 2022 harvest. The board’s recommendation was approved by California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

“As the PD/GWSS Board discussed the assessment rate, we were mindful of the cost pressures our industry is facing and carefully constructed the upcoming budget to best balance our assessment dollars for maximum impact,” said Will Drayton, PD/GWSS board chair. “We also know California winegrape growers continue to face pressure from grapevine viruses. As we set the Board’s budget for the coming year, we want to ensure growers have clean plant material and that the Board continues to wisely invest grower dollars in the best research for solutions to pests and diseases.”

The annual rate was set at $1.00 for the past three years and, since it was established in 2001, has averaged $1.35 per $1,000 of value.

The consistent funding made possible by the winegrape grower assessment means that California’s wine industry supports leading scientists dedicated to finding solutions to PD and other serious pests and diseases of winegrapes.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Learn more about the board’s research and outreach activities, visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/PD_GWSS_Board.html.