Feds to spend $1.75M to contain grape-eating moth

FRESNO, Calif. — Federal agriculture officials say the government will spend another $1.75 million to fight a pest that has imperiled California’s signature fruit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said Tuesday it will use funding from the 2008 farm bill to arrest the spread of the European grapevine moth.

The moth, which feeds on grapes, other fruit and flower buds, is considered a serious threat to California’s $18 billion wine industry.

Fresno Democrat Jim Costa says the effort to control the pest has already seen $3 million in funding from the department and the farm bill.

USDA officials are scheduled to announce Wednesday they will distribute an additional $1 million directly to growers to provide an incentive for environmentally friendly treatments.

Tags: crops, california, fruit, moth, farm, grape