In the recently enacted Farm Bill, one of my goals was to work for provisions to help California farmers with the day-to-day problems that they face.  One of the provisions that I fought for and that was included in the legislation was my Pest Detection and Surveillance Act which I introduced last year. 

As part of the Farm Bill, this provision authorizes $407 million for the USDA to enter into cooperative funding agreements with States to enhance their pest detection and surveillance programs. State and local agriculture and pest detection authorities will be able to use cooperative grant funding to increase inspections at domestic points of entry, implement pest trapping systems, and create pest eradication and prevention programs, among many other pest detection and surveillance initiatives.

When I talk with California farmers, one of their main concerns is their ability to fight exotic and introduced pests like the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the Asian long-horned beetle. As anyone in agriculture knows, these pests can severely harm California’s rich farm economy and can cost millions to eradicate them.  My Pest Detection and Surveillance Act will help protect California’s agricultural economy from harmful pests and diseases and keep our farmers competitive.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator