The
Honorable Ann M. Veneman
Secretary Of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear
Secretary Veneman: As
the co-chairs of the Border Governors’ Agriculture Work Table,
we are writing in support of increased funding for pink bollworm eradication.
In
2002, the United States and Mexico, by way of a partnership
between the cotton industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and Sanidad Vegetal, launched a cooperative 5-year
area-wide eradication program for pink bollworm.
The strategy developed was one of a tiered approach
consisting of three phases. To
date, these efforts have reduced pink bollworm populations in the
infested areas of West Texas, southern New Mexico, and
northeastern Mexico (phase one) by 84 percent, a reduction
realized more quickly than anticipated.
In support of this very effective program, the Border
Governors’ Agriculture Work Table supports the NFACT Coalition
(consisting of the states of New Mexico, Florida, Arizona,
California and Texas) request for an increase in the federal share
of the program’s funding from the current $1.3 million to $7.8
million beginning in the 2005 federal fiscal year to complete the
eradication in this area by way of the area-wide release of
sterile moths. n6.0in">The
pink bollworm is a major pest of cotton in the infested areas of
the United States and northern Mexico.
The presence of this insect pest costs the U.S. cotton
industry more than $32 million annually in production costs and
yield losses. With
the development of new tools to control this pest, such as
transgenic Bt cotton and mating disruption, coupled with the
successful track record of the sterile release program in
California, eradication is a viable option.
During the past two years this program has reduced pink
bollworm populations to such a low level in the phase one area
that the area-wide release of sterile moths, in addition to the
continuing control activities conducted by the growers, can now
eliminate the remaining population.
Ultimately,
successful eradication will not only reduce pest management and
regulatory enforcement costs, but it will improve the ability of
growers to compete in the global marketplace.
In addition, it will significantly reduce the use of
conventional pesticides that also harm non-target insects and
biological control organisms.
Just as important, this program has been an important and
productive partnership between the United States and its Mexican
neighbor.
A
recent program review has determined that an additional $5.5
million (for a total of $7.8 million) is needed from the USDA to
fully implement the sterile release component of the program.
The industry will continue to provide funding for the other
program operations. Postponing
implementation of the sterile insect releases will only prolong
the eradication process and substantially increase the overall
eradication costs. We
respectfully request that you support $7.8 million for the pink
bollworm line item in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and
Related Agencies Appropriation bill beginning in fiscal year 2005.
Sincerely,
Susan Juan Pablo Hernandez
Commissioner
Secretario
Texas
Baja California
