DATE: August 23, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Les Wright, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
SUBJECT: Revenue Agreement for detection trapping of the Light Brown Apple Moth
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the detection trapping of the Light Brown Apple Moth effective October 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 ($15,070).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow for the County to enter into an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to reimburse the Department’s costs for detection trapping of the Light Brown Apple Moth.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department will not receive funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for this mandated inspection program, which may impact net County cost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in net County cost associated with the recommended action. Fresno County will receive approximately $15,070 in revenue from CDFA to fund this mandated program. The estimated revenues and appropriations to fund the full cost of the program are included in the FY2016-17 Adopted Budget for Department of Agriculture Org. 40101001.
DISCUSSION:
The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) is a native of Australia and has now established itself in California; primarily the central California coast area. A Federal Domestic Quarantine Order (DA-2007-42) was established on May 2, 2007, to prevent the spread of this serious plant pest. This pest attacks native and ornamental plantings, fruits, and vegetables. Many of Fresno County’s most important agricultural crops, such as grapes, peaches and oranges are among those damaged by this pest. Fresno County’s most important trading partners include Mexico, Canada and Japan, which have quarantine restrictions against the importation of fruit from areas infested by LBAM.
The LBAM Agreement funds the detection trapping of this serious crop pest. The trapping accomplishes two important goals. First, it assures our trading partners that Fresno County does not have this pest and that our fruit exports remain eligible for import into their markets. Second, should an introduction of LBAM occur in the County, its presence would be discovered quickly. Early detection of the pest will help eradication efforts to take place while the infestation is still small, leading to a quicker and less costly eradication.
On April 12, 2016, your Board authorized the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures to execute specific revenue agreements for FY 2016-17, which included the LBAM detection program. A provision was included within that agenda item stating that the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures may execute these agreements as long as they are within 15 percent of the Department’s estimations. At that time, the Department estimated $17,900 in revenues for this program. The actual amount approved by the CDFA ($15,070) is outside the 15 percent allowance; therefore, this Agreement is brought before your Board individually for approval. The decreased amount is due to a reduction in agreement length to realign the Agreement period from the Federal to the State Fiscal Year.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #26, April 12, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander