(Wines&Vines) - California’s grape crop assessment to support research and control of Pierce’s disease and its vector glassy-winged sharpshooter (PD/GWSS) is in danger of being defunded due to apparent voter apathy. The referendum, which has been effective for 14 years, originally was passed in response to PD wiping out nearly 60% of the vineyards in Temecula, Calif., and threatening to do the same to vineyards across California.

Law requires a 40% quorum of ballots to be returned by the May 11 deadline. To date, only 25% have been received by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). On April 10, CDFA mailed some 7,000 ballots to growers who had paid the assessment last year; 1,000 more returned ballots are necessary to validate the measure. Growers who did not receive a ballot can contact (916) 900-5018.

Not just PD

Since 2001, when PD decimated vineyards in Southern California and the vine-destroying disease began its lethal spread northward, growers have twice reauthorized the assessment: once in 2005 and again in 2010. The assessment supports research aimed primarily at PD and GWSS, but in recent years it also has been designated to study emerging pests including European grapevine moth, red blotch, vine mealybug and brown marmorated stink bug.

“Losing the ability to quickly and efficiently address emerging threats because of unreturned ballots would be tragic,” stated Paul Kronenberg, president of the Family Winemakers of California.

Family Winemakers, the California Winegrape Growers Association (CAWG) and the Wine Institute are jointly funding a campaign to support the referendum, along with nearly 20 regional wine grape organizations from around the state, urging their members to cast ballots in favor of extending the PD/GWSS assessment.