VASCM: EGVM Quarantine in Santa Cruz County: More Info

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

I just sent a message about a meeting on June 28 announced by the Santa 
Cruz Co. Ag Commissioner to inform growers and wineries about the EGVM 
quarantine in the County.  We had just learned about the 2nd moth the 
day of our VASCM meeting last week, and at that time did not have a lot 
of details. Here is a little more information, and hopefully it is not 
as dire as we may have thought:

*About the Quarantine:*
     A second European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) was found in the Corralitos 
area the week before last. The first one, which was considered to be a 
hitchhiker coming in at harvest, was found the end of last year.  When 
two moths of the same lifecycle are trapped within a year of one 
another, quarantine and eradication requirements are triggered. Federal 
regulations require a quarantine area of at least a five-mile radius 
from the point where the moths were trapped, and this quarantine will be 
effective through this year's harvest. However, a quarantine affects 
only grapes that are transported, and the wineries receiving fruit out 
of the quarantined area. At harvest, vineyards in the quarantine area 
will need to be inspected and permitted to move their fruit; and 
wineries receiving the fruit will also need to be issued a compliance 
agreement.

     The approximate EGVM quarantine boundary area consists of Park 
Avenue/Victory Lane on the west, the Summit on the north, Mt. 
Madonna/Green Valley Road on the east, and Buena Vista/San Andreas Road 
on the south.

*About eradication*:
     From what I have been told, eradication (spraying) is required only 
in the vineyard(s) where the moths have been found. However, vineyards 
within 500 meters are encouraged to treat. So, if you have not found an 
EGVM in your vineyard, you are not required to spray.

*About home vineyards:
*  The Ag Commissioner will this week have a definition for what this 
means to home vineyards in the quarantine zone. The mandate in general 
is to ensure that grapes do not ripen and fall to the ground. So, if you 
are processing your fruit, chances are you will be able to do just 
that.  It is likely, though, that homeowners with ornamental grapevines 
(used for decorative landscaping, where the fruit is allowed to hang and 
is not processed) will be required to strip the flowers/fruit. I will 
send more information when available.


Regards,
- Mary Lindsay