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Schumer calls for upgrade of quarantine facility
May 01, 2015 6:46 am
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="120"]
A nematode.
(Source: Wikipedia)[/caption]
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer Thu., Apr. 30, expressed his support for the modernization of the national facility responsible for isolating the nematode [NEMAH-toad]. The nematode is considered the greatest risk to New York's $65 million potato industry. The tiny, worm-like organism is an invasive species that feeds off fungi and plants. There are 21 farms at risk in Columbia County and nine in Greene County, a spokesman for Schumer’s office said. “The Federal Nematode Quarantine Facility at Cornell is the main line of defense between New York potato farmers and the potentially catastrophic spread of nematodes, but it is outdated and must be modernized ASAP,” said Schumer in a news release. Schumer said the “severely dilapidated” Ithaca-based facility will not be able to adequately prepare for the new challenges posed by a growing nematode population. Melanie Wickham, executive director for the Empire State Potato Growers Association, said the quarantine facility is vital. She said the organism could potentially devastate 20,000 acres of cropland and production at more than 1,200 farms in the state, and result in a possible loss of international trade. Read the full story in the Register Star.
A nematode. (Source: Wikipedia)[/caption]
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer Thu., Apr. 30, expressed his support for the modernization of the national facility responsible for isolating the nematode [NEMAH-toad]. The nematode is considered the greatest risk to New York's $65 million potato industry. The tiny, worm-like organism is an invasive species that feeds off fungi and plants. There are 21 farms at risk in Columbia County and nine in Greene County, a spokesman for Schumer’s office said. “The Federal Nematode Quarantine Facility at Cornell is the main line of defense between New York potato farmers and the potentially catastrophic spread of nematodes, but it is outdated and must be modernized ASAP,” said Schumer in a news release. Schumer said the “severely dilapidated” Ithaca-based facility will not be able to adequately prepare for the new challenges posed by a growing nematode population. Melanie Wickham, executive director for the Empire State Potato Growers Association, said the quarantine facility is vital. She said the organism could potentially devastate 20,000 acres of cropland and production at more than 1,200 farms in the state, and result in a possible loss of international trade. Read the full story in the Register Star.