Please take our truly 60- second survey to help improve our site. The main site window is behind this one. If not, you can display the main site in this window . Implementation of our recommendations will prioritize public health and environmental protection, ensure adequate public notification and participation in decisionmaking and promote organic and sustainable approaches to controlling Pierce's disease. I. Background Pierce's disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, has affected grapes in California for over 100 years.
Insect vectors spread the disease from one plant to another.
There is no widely recognized cure for Pierce's disease. Scientists familiar with the GWSS have testified before the state legislature that the spread of the insect to new areas of the state could cause major economic losses to the grape and wine industries. CDFA's current program to control the GWSS needlessly endangers the public, does not involve those most impacted in the decisionmaking process, and is likely to fail to prevent or cure Pierce's disease. Current efforts rely heavily on the use of highly hazardous pesticides, including the nerve poisons Lorsban and Sevin. The decisionmaking process does not include adequate public participation.