Vidak to Brown — Get a Clue about Agriculture
Central Valley Senator Blasts Brown’s Veto of Funds to Fight Asian Citrus Psyllid
Monday, October 7, 2013
Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) issued the following statement regarding Governor Brown’s veto of Assembly Bill 571, which would have provided critical funds to fight the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the deadly diseases it spreads:
“I’m shocked Governor Brown has once again turned his back on farmers, farm workers and the agriculture community in California. Clearly Mr. Brown has not learned from his past mistakes. The governor’s veto of AB 571 could literally be a death sentence for the California citrus industry and the thousands of jobs it brings to our Central Valley.”
This is not the first time Governor Jerry Brown has turned his back on farmers, farm workers and others in the agricultural community. Back in 1981, then-Governor Brown delayed ordering eradication spraying for the crop-threatening Mediterranean fruit fly until legislators of both parties threatened to enact legislation to start spraying. Brown eventually backed-down from his anti-agriculture stand and ordered the spraying.
The Asian Citrus Psyllid was recently discovered in the Central Valley.