By Jamie Martin
A bipartisan effort in Congress is seeking to help fruit growers address one of the industry's most damaging invasive pests. Lawmakers recently reintroduced the Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act, which focuses on reducing the impact of spotted wing drosophila (SWD).
The insect is known for attacking healthy fruit before harvesting. Soft-skinned crops such as cherries, peaches, plums, apricots, blueberries, raspberries, and other specialty crops are especially vulnerable.
“Central Valley specialty crop growers work tirelessly to put food on tables across America, but invasive pests like the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) continue to make that job harder and more expensive,” said Congressman Valadao.
He continued, “SWD spreads quickly and infests healthy fruit before harvesting, leaving growers with significant crop losses and higher production costs. By investing in research and innovative pest management strategies, the bipartisan SWAT Act will help our producers stay ahead of this growing threat and protect one of the Central Valley’s most important industries.”
Supporters of the bill say SWD continues to create major challenges for growers by causing crop losses and increasing pest management expenses. Since its discovery in the United States in 2008, the pest has expanded into many production regions and remains a concern for the specialty crop sector.
The proposed legislation would strengthen the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in addressing the issue. A dedicated fund within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would support research, improved monitoring, and development of new control strategies.
Lawmakers say effective solutions are needed because many fruit markets have zero tolerance for SWD contamination. Even a small infestation can make harvested fruit unmarketable and lead to rejected shipments.
“You won’t find better fruits and vegetables than the ones that grow in Oregon. Our specialty crop growers produce everything from blueberries to wine grapes, and those crops support family farms, local jobs, and communities across the Willamette Valley. Spotted wing drosophila can spread quickly and destroy an entire crop, turning healthy fruit into an unusable product,” said Rep. Salinas.
She continued, “The SWAT Act will direct $6.5 million to APHIS for the research and control tools growers need to fight this invasive pest, protect their livelihoods, and keep high-quality Oregon fruit on store shelves.”
The bill would also encourage innovation in pest management and provide resources to researchers working on long-term solutions. These efforts are expected to help growers improve crop protection while maintaining product quality.
Nationally, spotted wing drosophila is linked to more than $700 million in annual economic losses. The reintroduced legislation seeks to reduce those impacts by improving coordination between researchers, agricultural agencies, and producers.
Categories: National