EAST LANSING, Mich. - Beef producers are vigilant against bovine tuberculosis; poultry farmers must avert the possibility of avian flu. Now greenhouse growers are facing a new threat that could devastate their industry - Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 bivar 2.
This bacterial pathogen causes a disease that is threatening greenhouse operations across the state and the country. It was first confirmed in U.S. greenhouses in February 2003.
|
|
In 2003, 18 Michigan growers were affected; quarantines and plant destruction cost the industry $1 million. So far in 2004, 43 growers have been affected, and estimated losses approach $900,000.
Michigan growers called on Michigan State University (MSU) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) to help increase awareness of the problem among legislators and governmental agencies.
Thomas Dudek and Dean Krauskopf, MSUE greenhouse agents, and Gale Arent, MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources stakeholder relations director, worked with the presidents of the Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association and the Western Michigan Greenhouse Association to coordinate a visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislative aides from the Michigan congressional delegation.
"The purpose of the meeting was to connect with legislators and their staffs to increase awareness of this threat to the Michigan greenhouse industry and what they can do to help," Dudek said.
The association presidents asked the Michigan delegation to press the secretary of agriculture to establish a compensation program for U.S. growers affected by ralstonia, help modify the U.S. Plant Protection Act to provide swift compensation to growers whenever ralstonia or other quarantinable diseases strike, and increase funding for research on the disease.
"We hoped to encourage additional dollars be spent on research," Dudek said. "More funding is needed to help answer the unknowns."