Voters should care about this bill because it addresses a direct threat to a significant portion of the country's fruit production. The spotted wing drosophila is an invasive pest that has already caused substantial revenue losses for fruit growers, estimated at a combined 20 percent for certain berry and cherry crops. If this bill becomes law, it provides dedicated funding to develop solutions to this problem, which could lead to more stable fruit supplies and prices, and protect the livelihoods of fruit farmers.
Without this bill, research and mitigation efforts for the spotted wing drosophila might continue without dedicated, consistent funding, potentially slowing down the development of effective controls. This could mean continued crop damage, higher costs for farmers, and potentially higher prices or reduced availability of popular fruits for consumers. The bill aims to proactively tackle an agricultural challenge that impacts both the economy and everyday grocery shoppers.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a dedicated fund within the Department of Agriculture for spotted wing drosophila research and mitigation.
This ensures specific funding is available solely for combating this invasive pest, rather than competing with other general agricultural programs.
PROVISION 02
Directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator to manage the fund, including determining eligible recipients for grants and cooperative agreements.
This assigns a clear authority to oversee the distribution of funds and ensure accountability for the research and mitigation activities.
PROVISION 03
Authorizes an appropriation of $6,500,000 for the fund for the fiscal year of enactment and for each of the subsequent four fiscal years.
This provides a clear financial commitment and a multi-year funding stream to support ongoing efforts against the pest.
Voters should care about this bill because it addresses a direct threat to a significant portion of the country's fruit production. The spotted wing drosophila is an invasive pest that has already caused substantial revenue losses for fruit growers, estimated at a combined 20 percent for certain berry and cherry crops. If this bill becomes law, it provides dedicated funding to develop solutions to this problem, which could lead to more stable fruit supplies and prices, and protect the livelihoods of fruit farmers.
Without this bill, research and mitigation efforts for the spotted wing drosophila might continue without dedicated, consistent funding, potentially slowing down the development of effective controls. This could mean continued crop damage, higher costs for farmers, and potentially higher prices or reduced availability of popular fruits for consumers. The bill aims to proactively tackle an agricultural challenge that impacts both the economy and everyday grocery shoppers.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a dedicated fund within the Department of Agriculture for spotted wing drosophila research and mitigation.
This ensures specific funding is available solely for combating this invasive pest, rather than competing with other general agricultural programs.
med
Directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator to manage the fund, including determining eligible recipients for grants and cooperative agreements.
This assigns a clear authority to oversee the distribution of funds and ensure accountability for the research and mitigation activities.
high
Authorizes an appropriation of $6,500,000 for the fund for the fiscal year of enactment and for each of the subsequent four fiscal years.
This provides a clear financial commitment and a multi-year funding stream to support ongoing efforts against the pest.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Research and Mitigation Fund
discretionary
5
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Spotted Wing Drosophila
An invasive fruit fly from East Asia that damages many fruit crops in the United States, including berries and cherries.
Plant Protection Act
A federal law that gives the Department of Agriculture authority to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases.
Invasive Species
A species that is not native to a specific location and has a tendency to spread, causing damage to the environment, human economy, or human health.
Mitigation
Actions taken to reduce the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something, in this case, the negative effects of the spotted wing drosophila.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
A part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for protecting U.S. animal and plant resources from pests and diseases.
Cooperative Agreements
Legal instruments used by the federal government to transfer money, property, services, or anything of value to state or local governments or other recipients to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by law.
Grants
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 9
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 9
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Financial assistance awards from the federal government to an eligible recipient to carry out an approved project or activity, typically without requiring substantial involvement from the awarding agency.
Authorization of Appropriations
A legislative act that establishes a program or agency and provides permission for money to be spent on it, but does not actually provide the money. The money must then be provided through a separate appropriations act.
