From: Anthony.L.Brashear@aphis.usda.gov

Subject: Cotton Harvesting Equipment Movement

To: rhsmith@acesag.auburn.edu, rks@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, proberts@uga.edu, boydm@missouri.edu, blayton@entomology.msstate.edu, jack_bacheler@ncsu.edu, mroof@clemson.edu, sdstewart@mail.ag.tdk.edu, herbert@vt.edu, jubbg@vt.edu

Copies to: William.J.Grefenstette@aphis.usda.gov, jim.brumley@sebwef.org, farrell.boyd@sebwef.org, ron.seward@sebwef.org, quitman@bwep.org, Richard.Conant@aphis.usda.gov, Jeffery.L.Head@aphis.usda.gov, William.H.Moore@aphis.usda.gov

Date sent: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 11:14:34 -0500

As all of you are aware, the SEBWEP has encountered numerous boll weevil reinfestations over the last decade. The conventional wisdom is that the movement of harvesting equipment from non-program areas is the conveyance for hitchhiking boll weevils. While no "smoking gun" has been found, the circumstantial evidence is very strong for this explanation.

With the above in mind, I am asking that each of you provide through your newsletters, websites, and cotton insect hotlines, information concerning this problem to growers, ginners, and other interested parties. I realize that several newsletters have been terminated for the season, but whatever help you may give us will be appreciated.

Some facts that may be of value to you in your dissemination of information are:

• All the states in the southeast have regulations which prohibit movement of cotton harvesting equipment from a non-BWEP cotton growing area without certification from state agricultural inspectors.
• While the federal boll weevil quarantine is still being developed, the current federal pink bollworm quarantine prohibits movement of cotton harvesting equipment from Texas into the southeastern states without a USDA certificate or limited permit.
• Reinfestations have cost the SEBWEP in excess of five million dollars through 1999.
• Certification for the movement of cotton harvesting equipment may be obtained by contacting state agricultural regulatory officials in each state into which the subject equipment is to be moved.
• APHIS personnel have conducted weigh station inspections during the last two years which have yielded contaminated cotton harvesting equipment. In 2000, the required fumigations of intercepted equipment at Vicksburg, Mississippi resulted in expenditures of several thousand dollars by the transporters. The current plans are for these inspections to continue in the fall of 2002.

Thanks for your interest in keeping the southeast a boll weevil free cotton growing region!

Sincerely

A.L. Brashear
APHIS SEBWEPD