Washington, DC
April 19, 2007
U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the
availability of nearly $11 million in additional Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to implement an eradication
strategy for potato cyst nematode (PCN) in Idaho.
"These additional funds will enhance our efforts to eradicate
this serious pest and protect Idaho's potato industry," Johanns
said. "Because the infestation is confined to an isolated area,
we have a unique opportunity to eliminate this pest before it
has a chance to become established."
USDA's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in coordination with the
Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), confirmed the
first U.S detection of PCN in a soil sample collected from a
potato processing facility in Idaho last April. Following the
August 2006 transfer of $12.9 million in CCC funds, state and
federal agricultural officials began an extensive survey of
Idaho production and seed potato fields, packing facilities and
storage sheds.
The survey, which included testing more than 34,000 soil samples
from 800 fields and facilities, determined that PCN is confined
to seven fields within a one-mile radius. Based on this
information, APHIS established a technical working group
comprised of university scientists and international PCN
experts, and together they devised an eradication strategy for
the isolated infestation.
APHIS and ISDA will work together to eradicate PCN, with both
state and federal employees involved in implementing survey,
testing and management activities. The PCN eradication program
in Idaho is projected to last five years.
APHIS and ISDA will use this latest infusion of funding for
intensive surveys, soil fumigation and strict enforcement of
quarantine regulations to prevent PCN from spreading.
PCN, Globodera pallida, is a major pest of potato crops in
cool-temperate areas. It primarily affects plants within the
potato family including tomatoes, eggplants and some weeds. If
left uncontrolled, nematodes can cause up to 80 percent yield
loss.
PCN is known to exist in many potato-growing regions throughout
the world. In North America, the nematode is known to be present
on the island of Newfoundland, Canada. PCN infestations may be
associated with patches of poor growth. Affected potato plants
may exhibit yellowing, wilting or death of foliage--none of
which has been observed in Idaho potato fields. |
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