Fresno County declares pesticide emergency for threat to $42-million crop

A pest emergency has been declared in Fresno County, allowing commercial growers to use pesticides recently restricted by the state.

On April 17, the County of Fresno’s County Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director Paul Nerland declared a local emergency due to the threat to tomato crops from the Beet Leafhopper.

To combat the Beet Leafhopper insect, the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner is allowing commercial growers to use neonicotinoid pesticides on an emergency basis to combat the threat form the invasive species.

The insect carries the Beet Curly Top Virus, a plant disease known to cause serious damage to tomato crops.

The Beet Leafhopper insect is a pest to both fresh market and processing tomatoes, mainly on the west side of the Central Valley.

Tomatoes were the seventh largest crop by revenue in Fresno County in 2022 with a value of $42.26 million.

Mario Reeves, assistant agricultural commissioner/sealer for Fresno County, said neonicotinoids are the most reliable for controlling the Beet Leafhopper insect, backed by research, he said.

In January, new regulations were adopted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulations limiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the production of certain agricultural commodities.

“If a county declares an emergency, then a grower can spray neonicotinoids after bloom,” Reeves said.

Reeves said tomatoes bloom quickly, within two weeks of being planted.

Neonicotinoid pesticides products may present hazards to honeybees and other pollinators, according to a fact sheet from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Pollinators, such as honeybees, are critical to growers and the entire ag industry, as well as consumers of agricultural products.

The Beet Leefhopper lives in the hills of western Fresno County, and every spring, when the native vegetation of the hills starts to dry out, they migrate to the Valley floor where crops are grown.

With the restriction on neonicotinoid pesticides, farmers might have to use different and additional materials, and there may be needs for multiple applications, increasing input costs for growers.

Fresno County declares pesticide emergency for threat to $42-million crop

A pest emergency has been declared in Fresno County, allowing commercial growers to use pesticides recently restricted by the state.

On April 17, the County of Fresno’s County Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director Paul Nerland declared a local emergency due to the threat to tomato crops from the Beet Leafhopper.

To combat the Beet Leafhopper insect, the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner is allowing commercial growers to use neonicotinoid pesticides on an emergency basis to combat the threat form the invasive species.

The insect carries the Beet Curly Top Virus, a plant disease known to cause serious damage to tomato crops.

The BLH insect is a pest to both fresh market and processing tomatoes, mainly on the west side of the Central Valley.

Tomatoes were the seventh largest crop by revenue in Fresno County in 2022 with a value of $42.26 million.

Mario Reeves, assistant agricultural commissioner/sealer for Fresno County, said neonicotinoids are the most reliable for controlling the Beet Leafhopper insect, backed by research, he said.

In January 2024, new regulations were adopted by the Department of Pesticide Regulations limiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the production of certain agricultural commodities.

“If a county declares an emergency, then a grower can spray neonicotinoids after bloom,” Reeves said.

Reeves said tomatoes bloom quickly, within two weeks of being planted.

Neonicotinoid pesticides products may present hazards to honeybees and other pollinators, according to a fact sheet from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Pollinators, such as honeybees, are critical to growers and the entire ag industry, as well as consumers of agricultural products.

The Beet Leefhopper live in the hills of western Fresno County, and every spring, when the native vegetation of the hills starts to dry out, they migrate to the Valley floor where crops are grown.

With the restriction on neonicotinoid pesticides, farmers might have to use different and additional materials, and there may be needs for multiple applications, increasing input costs for growers.