Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Agricultural commissioner urges residents to check Costco vines after glassy-winged sharpshooter discovery
Summary
Mariposa County Agricultural Commissioner Monica Nielsen said shipments of grapevines tied to glassy-winged sharpshooter infestations were traced to Fresno-area nurseries and advised residents who purchased plants from Costco between April 21 and May 21 to contact the county for inspection and trapping.
Monica Nielsen, Mariposa County agricultural commissioner, updated the board on a statewide glassy-winged sharpshooter incident and told residents how to check plants they purchased.
Nielsen said tests confirmed glassy-winged sharpshooter in grapevine shipments that moved through Sonoma and traced to a Fresno County nursery. She said Fresno County has sought a broader quarantine and that Mariposa County is trapping at vineyards and inspecting potentially affected plants.
"If you purchased grape vines or any plants from Costco during the time of April 21 through May 21 contact the Mariposa County Ag Commissioner's Office at (209) 966-2075," Nielsen said, adding the office will inspect plants and set monitoring traps.
Nielsen said Mariposa has so far found no infestations at inspected locations and explained the pest carries Pierce's disease, which can kill grapevines and be costly to treat. The county will coordinate with the California Department of Food and Agriculture if treatment is required.
Board members asked about shipment procedures and how plants entered retail without expected inspections; Nielsen said some Fresno shipments were five miles outside quarantine boundaries and that nurseries are responsible for compliance.
