Return to WSDA Home  |  Return to 2006 News Release Page

WSDA to hold public hearing on fee increase to support apple maggot surveys

OLYMPIA –  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will hold a public hearing in Yakima on Aug. 31 on a proposal to increase the certification fee charged the apple industry to fund the annual apple maggot survey. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s conference room at 21 North 1st Ave., Yakima.

To fund the program, the apple industry currently pays 3/4 of a cent for every 100 pounds of apples shipped. The WSDA proposal would increase that amount to 1 1/2 cents, effective Oct. 9, 2006. The increase would remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2008, at which time it would revert back to 3/4 of a cent.

WSDA officials say the increase is necessary because the range of the apple maggot has expanded in recent years. As a result, more trapping will be needed, causing program costs to increase.

The summer survey program began in 1980. The purpose of the program is to determine which areas of the state are free of apple maggot; certify commercial orchards in quarantined areas are apple-maggot free and meet export regulatory requirements; and slow the spread of the apple maggot into pest free areas.

Apple maggot larvae have never been found in commercial apples shipped from Washington.

The proposed fee increase has the support of the Apple Maggot Working Group – a volunteer group of representatives from the Washington apple industry and research and regulatory community.

Persons may present material in writing or orally at the hearing. Written material must be received no later than Aug. 31 by e-mail to hgonzales@agr.wa.gov; by mail at WSDA, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560; or FAX (360) 902-2094.

Persons with questions on the proposed fee increase or public hearing may call the WSDA toll-free hotline (1-800-443-6684), or visit the agency Web site at http://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/PP/ApplePestCertification052406.htm.

 

# # #