California grape growers have voted overwhelming to continue for another five years a self-assessment program that finances research toward a permanent solution to the Pierce’s disease virus.
Eighty-four percent of those voting agreed to continue the assessment, which for the past two years has been set at the rate of $1 per $1,000 of crop value.
The state Department of Food and Agriculture sent out referendum ballots in late March to 6,500 winegrape-growing businesses around the state. A total of 2,792 valid ballots were returned, representing 45 percent of eligible voters.
Those voting in favor of continuation represented both 84 percent of those voting and 84 percent of the assessment paid among all those who voted. The results met the threshold for grower participation, as well as for continuation of the assessment.
The results were reported by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Family Winemakers of California and the Wine Institute.
— Robert Digital
