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In accordance with the Pierce’s Disease Control Program’s nursery shipment protocols and in coordination with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, Burchell Nursery’s Fresno facility was placed under a Master Permit compliance agreement on June 5.
Operation under a Master Permit requires the nursery, at its own expense, to inspect and treat all glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) host material prior to shipment into regions of California that are not infested with GWSS. The Master Permit also requires a second visual inspection of the shipment by origin county agricultural commissioner staff, prior to the safeguarding treatment.
Burchell Nursery’s Fresno facility has not been permitted to ship any plants since May 19, when the Pierce’s Disease Control Program was first alerted to the shipment of GWSS-infested grapevines to Costco stores in Northern California. Beginning June 11, Burchell Nursery may resume shipments to non-infested or partially infested counties after completing all requirements associated with the Master Permit.
All nurseries operating under a GWSS compliance agreement, including Burchell Nursery’s Fresno facility, must comply with existing regulations, including Blue Tag requirements for GWSS host stock. Under the Blue Tag process, nurseries must notify the agricultural commissioner in the destination county so that shipments may be inspected upon arrival. The Blue Tag also warns the receiving nursery to hold the shipment for inspection. Nurseries determined to present a higher risk may be required to operate under a Master Permit, which includes additional treatment, inspection and compliance requirements.
The Pierce's Disease Control Program will continue to monitor compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
For more information about nursery requirements and shipping protocols, visit: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/Guidelines.html
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