California winegrape growers are reminded to submit their ballots by Thursday, June 12, for a referendum on extending the Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Assessment Program through 2031. The program is funded by an annual value-based assessment set at $1.25 per $1,000 of grape-crop value over the previous three years of production. This funding supports essential research and activities aimed at mitigating the impact of pests and diseases affecting winegrapes.
For the extension to be approved, a majority vote in favor is required along with a 40 percent voter participation rate. As of May 28, the participation rate stood at 30 percent. The last referendum saw an overwhelming 78 percent vote in favor.
Ballots were mailed in April to every winegrape producer who paid the 2024 assessment. Growers managing multiple entities received separate ballots for each entity.
The research funded by this program focuses on preventing pest and disease spread while providing practical and sustainable solutions. Current projects include disease management strategies, genetic and biotechnological solutions, vector and disease transmission studies, virus detection and management, as well as industry preparedness initiatives.
Since its inception in 2001, the program has funded 311 research grants totaling $44.1 million for Pierce’s disease and glassy-winged sharpshooter research, along with $15.9 million for other pest and disease research.
More information about the program can be found here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/
Information from this article can be found here.
