The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $4 million in emergency funding to assist California in managing the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an invasive pest that poses a risk to the state's wine sector. The announcement was made by the office of Rep. Mike Thompson, who represented the St. Helena district, following efforts by California lawmakers to secure additional federal support.
According to a press release, the new funding will enable the California Department of Food and Agriculture to broaden its inspection and investigation efforts. The agency plans to use the resources to remove infested plant materials and to increase trapping and survey activities in regions identified as high-risk for the pest.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a vector for Pierce’s disease, a bacterial condition that can be fatal to grapevines and other vegetation. In May, state officials determined that infested grapevines had been distributed to multiple Costco locations across California, including sites in the Tri-Valley area. The affected plants, which numbered in the thousands, originated from Burchell Nursery in Fresno County.
Rep. Thompson stated that he has been focused on ensuring the agricultural community receives necessary assistance to handle the situation. He noted that while the new funding is a positive development, further work is required to safeguard the local community. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has already committed more than $15 million to California for sharpshooter-related activities during fiscal year 2026.
