Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein today applauded Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for releasing over $16 million in emergency funding to prevent the spread of the European grapevine moth in California. 
            
After learning of the severity and threat posed by the European grapevine moth, Senator Feinstein notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that swift action was needed to save California’s grape, wine, stone fruit and other industries.  USDA’s timely response will allow the agencies and growers to be able to prevent the spread of the European grapevine moth.

Click here to see today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

            Following is the text of the letter from Senator Feinstein to Secretary Vilsack:

February 7, 2011

The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write to express my thanks and gratitude for your recent decision to release $16.922 million to help California farmers fund the response to the European Grapevine Moth. 

As you know, this dangerous and invasive pest threatens to devastate the $34.8 billion dollar agriculture industry in my State.  The wine and grape industries, which create over $3 billion in economic output, $122 billion in economic activity and 330,000 jobs within California, are particularly vulnerable.

Thanks to your quick action, farmers in California will be able to begin surveillance efforts in the quarantined areas of Napa, Fresno, Sonoma, Mendocino, Merced, San Joaquin, Solano and Santa Clara Counties and elsewhere across the state.  I commend you for your leadership and look forward to continuing to work with you on issues of importance to California agriculture.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Dianne Feinstein
                                                            United States Senator

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