Sacramento, Calif.—The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced the Pierce’s disease/glassy-winged sharpshooter referendum passed with 83% of the growers who sent in ballots voting to continue an assessment for another five years.

The assessment raises funds used for PD disease research and prevention. According to the CDFA it will garner $1.8 million in funding based on submitted ballots. The CDFA received 3,780 ballots of which 626, or 17%, were opposed to continuing the assessment.

"The PD/GWSS Board is now set to chart the course for the next five years," said PD/GWSS board chair Bill Hammond. "I'm fortunate to be working with such a dedicated team that has made this program the centerpiece of success for pest and disease management that not only includes PD/GWSS but also other threats to California winegrapes, such as the brown marmorated stink bug, European grapevine moth, red blotch, and vine mealybug."