VASCM: EGVM Quarantine - Updates from Yesterday's CDFA Meeting, Map

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

I attended the meeting yesterday on the EGVM quarantine held by the 
Santa Cruz Ag Commissioner and CDFA.  In addition to the vineyards in 
the quarantine area (both commercial and home), anyone moving any grape 
material from the quarantine area is affected, including commercial 
wineries and home winemakers.  Even vineyard materials and equipment 
have been found to spread the moth. We all need to be vigilant to help 
prevent its spread. Here are a few salient points and details:

1.  A map of the quarantine area in Santa Cruz County can be found on 
the CDFA site at 
http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/pdf/maps/3437EGVMSantaClaraSantaCruz.pdf .  
This is 87 square miles adjoining the quarantine area in Santa Clara 
County.  On the west, it borders the Forest at Nicene Marks, extends to 
the beach at New Brighton, follows the coast to Manresa State Beach, 
then along Airport Blvd. and Green Valley Rd. in Watsonville.  This  map 
is based on a five-mile radius around the point where the moths were 
found (per Federal regulations).

2.  Vineyard(s) where the moth is found are required to treat. Vineyards 
within 500 meters of the find are strongly encouraged to treat. 
Eradication efforts in other regions have been found to be effective 
based in part on elective spraying efforts. The Ag Commissioner and CDFA 
are in touch with these affected vineyards.

3. Mating disruptor twist ties are considered helpful in eradication 
where populations are low (placed at 200/acre), and are available from 
Pacific Biocontrol (www.pacificbiocontrol.com).

4.  Vineyards in the quarantine area need to get a compliance agreement. 
This includes home vineyards.  Anyone buying from a vineyard in the 
quarantine area is required to get a compliance agreement to transport. 
This includes commercial wineries and home winemakers. Bins at harvest 
need to be covered or slack-filled.

5. *The quarantine applies not only to fruit, but also to all other 
grape material, to green waste and other vineyard materials. *Permits 
need to be applied for and issued. This includes samples sent to labs 
for analysis.**Nursery stock and green waste are regulated. The moth has 
been found to travel from vineyard to vineyard on end posts. Be careful 
with any material and equipment coming in from a quarantine area 
anywhere in the state.
     All of this is detailed in the compliance agreement, but briefly:
     - Must cannot be spread outside the quarantine area.  Unfermented 
pomace must be pressed at 2 bars (28psi). Fermented is exempt.
     - Stems are considered green waste and can be returned to the 
vineyard of origin, composted, or can go to a green waste receiver.

6.  No fruit is allowed to hang within 500 meters of a find 
post-harvest. This includes home vineyards and ornamentals. All fruit 
needs to be picked or destroyed.

7. The quarantine can be lifted only after a 3-5 generation cycle has 
passed without a find. The moth overwinters as a pupa; emerges after 
budbreak and feeds on the flowers. Two additional generations during the 
growing season emerge during the summer and fall and feed on the fruit.

Please contact the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner for more 
information at (831) 763-8080; www.agdept.com/


Mary Lindsay
VASCM
408-234-2079 (cell)