Inslee's Apple Maggot Gift and CFAP Round 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.**Timber, grazing and ranch lands appear to have borne the brunt of the agricultural impact so far from California's destructive wildfires.
A Cal Fire information officer says damage-assessment teams have begun their work, and county ag commissioner’s say a full accounting of the losses could take weeks or months.
Smoke from the fires also threatens wine grapes, which can absorb chemicals that produce an off-taste in wine.
**To console eastern Washington communities devasted by wildfires, Governor Jay Inslee offered apples picked from his own yard.
Now reports indicate he exposed eastern Washington’s already-fragile agricultural industry to the apple maggot.
Senator Judy Warnick says produce from western Washington must undergo stringent safety measures to prevent maggot infestations.
The Moses Lake Republican says it’s a nice gesture, but not well thought out. Inslee should have followed the law to keep our state’s agriculture safe.
**On Friday, President Trump and Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for ag producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.
Perdue says we listened to feedback from farmers, ranchers and ag organizations about the impact of the pandemic and developed a program to better meet the needs of those affected.
Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program part 2 begins today and runs through December 11th.
Go to farmers.gov/cfap for more information.