Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 T m Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee Victoria L. Hornbaker Senior Agricultural Biologist California Department of Food and Agriculture

2 Vertebrate Pest Damage

3 Economic Impacts A 1997 * study of 19 crops in California valued at $8 billion suffered a mean estimated loss of $95.9 million (range was $43.2 to $155.7 million) and 400 agriculture related jobs annually were eliminated due to non-predator vertebrates. The study results do not represent the total costs of agricultural al vertebrate damage in California because not all crop or livestock losses were included and many other agricultural related problems such as irrigation system losses (dams, canals, and levees) were e not considered. *Hueth,, Cohen, Sangrujee,, and Zilberman,, UC Berkeley

4 Vertebrate Pest Disease and Health Issues Rabies Relapsing Fever Sylvatic Plague Rock Mountain Spotted Fever Rat Bite Fever Tularemia Toxoplasmosis Babesiosis Coccidiomycosis Colorado Tick Fever Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Leptospirosis Lyme Disease Murine Typhus Fever

5 Vertebrate Pest Control and Research Program Funding Surcharge on sale of vertebrate pest control materials sold by County Agricultural Commissioners Surcharge currently set at $0.50 per pound of materials sold Use surcharge funds to administer program functions 1990 original bill establishing authority to: Collect surcharge Establish research program Appoint research advisory committee

6 Vertebrate Pest Control and Research Food and Agriculture Code: Program Funding Surcharge funds are used to administer a research program to control vertebrate pests which pose a significant threat to agriculture and the public. Specifically, research designed to: Maintain current vertebrate pest control registrations Improve the use of existing vertebrate pest control materials Expand our knowledge about controlling vertebrate pests Find alternative control methods and materials that are safe, humane, effective and economical

7 Vertebrate Pest Control and Research Program Funding Prior to July, 2003, the program was funded with a combination of Industry Funds (Surcharge) and General Funds State Budget reductions in 2003/2004 resulted in the elimination of the General Fund portion of the program. The program is currently 100% Industry Funded (Surcharge)

8 Vertebrate Pest Control and Research Program Funding In 2005 Senate Bill No. 872 (Denham) was enacted which extends the sunset provision until January 1st, The money is paid into a research account in CDFA, to be appropriated by the Secretary of CDFA solely for the purpose of establishing and administering the research program. If necessary, the Secretary, following consultation with the VPCRAC, can raise the surcharge assessment to a maximum of $1.00 per pound of material distributed or sold.

9 Vertebrate Pest Control & Research Program Ground Squirrel Infestation on Rangeland Vertebrate Pest Control Research and Field Implementation. Federal & State Pesticide Regulatory Expertise. Non-target Wildlife & Endangered Species Consultation. Vertebrate Pest Identification, Damage Assessment, and Pest Control Techniques and Methods Education. Program is Industry Funded.

10 Currently Registered CDFA Rodenticides in CA Acute Rodenticides Zinc Phosphide 2% (broadcast baiting) Anticoagulants Chlorophacinone 0.01% -Broadcast and spot treat Chlorophacinone 0.005% - Bait stations Diphacinone 0.01% - Broadcast and spot treat Diphacinone 0.005% - Bait stations Diphacinone 0.005% Bait block Chlorophacinone 0.01% Treated artichoke bracts for voles in artichokes only

11 Example of Currently Registered Pesticide Label

12 Baiting Materials Left = steamed rolled oats treated with an anticoagulant Right = wax bait block treated with an anticoagulant

13 Rodenticide Bait QA/QC Program Funded through bait surcharge program To assure quality bait is provided To standardize bait mixing To protect CDFA products/labels

14 Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program Funds 1991 to Present Total Surcharge Funds Collected $ 9,511, Expended on Vertebrate Pest Control Research $ 8,874,222.00

15 Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program Funds 1991 to Present Surcharge Funds Used to Maintain Rodenticide Registrations (Federal Mandated Reregistration of Pesticides) $ 3,645, Surcharge Funds Used for Basic Vertebrate Research $ 5,228,738.00

16 Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee Appointed by the Secretary of CDFA Composition One member from each CDFA, CAC, UC, CSU, DHS, General Public Five members from affected Agricultural Industries Duty Recommend research priorities and the funds required. Website:

17 Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee Representation on the Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee is specified by law. The current regulatory and academia representatives are: Paul Stapp Mark Novak Victoria Hornbaker Ed Meyer Robert Timm Dennis Bray California State University Department of Public Health California Dept. of Food & Agriculture Public Member University of California Agricultural Commissioners Association

18 Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee The current agricultural industry representatives are: Art Foster Ellen Des Jardin Hirth Dale Huss Dan Spangler (Committee Chairman) Vacant Orchard & Vine Crops Field and Row Crops Vegetable Crops Field and Forage Crops Livestock

19 Vertebrate Pest Control & Research Program The Vertebrate Pest Control and Research Program works with County Agricultural Commissioners, USDA Wildlife Services and other Cooperators in the statewide management of vertebrate pests including invasive nonindigenous vertebrate species to protect California s agricultural industry, resources, infrastructure and citizens from the impacts of vertebrate pests.

20 Recent Program Accomplishments In 2006, the Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee (VPCRAC) funded the development of a revised handbook to provide a relevant, updated resource for California s pest problems. Revisions were made by the CDFA, the University of California, and the California Department of Health Services. The new version is complete and available on the VPCRAC website. On September 29, 2008, CDFA received a letter from USEPA granting reregistration of the following CDFA rodenticides: Rodent Bait Chlorophacinone Treated Grain (0.005%) Rodent Bait Chlorophacinone Treated Grain (0.01%) Rodent Bait Chlorophacinone Treated Artichoke Bracts (0.01%) The Program was awarded a competitive Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) for the purpose of developing an integrated pest management program for vole control in artichokes. This will allow CDFA, in collaboration with the University of California, Kearney Agricultural Center to conduct field studies to determine the efficacy of rodenticide treatments, cultural practices and trapping to develop a comprehensive integrated pest management program for vole control in artichokes.

21 The End!