Regional Tropical Soda Apple Task Force A Research, Regulatory and Agribusiness Partnership

Please respond to: Division of Plant Industry Richard Gaskalla, Director 1911 SW 34th Street/PO Box 147100 Gainesville, FL 32614-7100 Telephone (352) 372-3505 Facsimile: (352) 334-1719

RTSATF Meeting Minutes Houston County Extension Office Farm Center Building Dothan, Alabama - 9:30 a.m. July 22, 2003

The Regional Tropical Soda Apple Task Force met on July 22, 2003, at the Richard Gaskalla opened the meeting by welcoming the Task Force members and invited guests. Members were asked to update the Task Force of any TSA related events that had taken place since the last meeting in May.

Dr. Tomm Johnson - Alabama: Alabama recently had first meeting of the Alabama TSA Task Force. Participants included seed distributors, interested farmers, cattlemen, cooperative extension service and other interested parties.

Richard Gaskalla - : Seed wholesalers/distributors meeting held in Florida. Agreed to work to insure seed purity. $103,000 requested from state legislature for publications and new initiatives.

Al Tasker - USDA: Updated the task force on the federal perspective regarding TSA. USDA is exploring funding options for TSA survey and control. The Federal budget is currently adequately funded for noxious weed control, but due to the economy and war on terrorism, the Congress or the Senate could slash funding.

Task Force members broke into subcommittees to discuss TSA activities.

Dr. Julio Medal gave an update to the Task Force on biocontrol agents on which he has been conducting research.

Gratiana boliviana Chrysomelidae May 14, 2003. Adult were released into cages in Polk County, Florida. The adults will be able to feed and reproduce without attacks by predators. The cages should be removed near the end of August and the beetles will be allowed to disperse naturally. Dr. Medal hopes to begin mass rearing these in the near future.

Dr. Medal briefly discussed Anthonomus Tenebrosus, the flower bud weevil

The release of Metriona elatior will be delayed until concerns over this insects potential feeding on has been explored further.

Dr. Medal explained that a lack of sufficient federal funding has slowed research on biocontrol agents and their release. Dr. Medal further explained that important crop pests such as whiteflies & family members move from TSA to tomatoes, so these biocontrol agents will not only help with TSA control but would also benefit rowcrop farmers.

The Task Force members discussed the benefits of biological control agents. While all Task Force members support biological control efforts, there is considerable difference of opinion among the membership regarding RTSATF Meeting Minutes July 22, 2003 Page 2 of 3

funding initiatives. The states that are lightly infested with TSA advocate use of funds for survey and chemical eradication efforts. After a thorough discussion, Kevin Morgan made the following motion:

MOTION: Recommend TSA affected states request Congressional Delegation Support Funding for a TSA control / eradication program including education bio-control development research, chemical / mechanical control to be allocated by the USDA-APHIS based on priorities established by TSA Task Force.

Mike Milicevic seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Task Force members.

Dr. Jeff Mullahey gave an update to Task Force. Dr. Mullahey pointed out the need research for composting manure that may be infested with TSA seed. The Best Management Plan (BMP) that was developed in Florida may need to be revised especially for shipping and holding livestock to non TSA infested areas. An economic impact study of TSA, including the economic impact of implementing BMPs, effects on neighboring states, effects of biological and chemical control should be included.

Lee Tuten (USDA, Alabama) updated the Task Force on the methods adopted the State of Alabama and by other TSA infested states. Alabama has worked with the Cooperative Extension Service for distribution of fliers, posters, etc. Mr. Tuten reminded the Task Force of the importance of working with state associations.

Task Force members discussed various modes of getting TSA information out to the public, livestock associations, farmers and any other interested individuals or organizations. Suggestions included maintaining a RTSATF website.

USDA provided a copy of a card that may distributed. This card is wallet sized with a picture of a TSA plant on one side and information on the reverse side. Dr. Tomm Johnson recommended to the Task Force that the USDA Imported Fire Ant manual be reviewed and adopted for TSA Best Management Plans (BMP).

Richard Gaskalla suggested that each state have one point of contact for TSA. The following people volunteered to be the point of contact for his/her respective state.

Points of Contact: Tomm Johnson– AL Richard Gaskalla– FL Mike Evans – GA Miriam Allred – MS David Patterson – NC Ken Glenn – SC Ralph Cooley – TN

Philip Bailey and Dr. Ed Arza led the discussion on the Regional TSA MOU. Task Force members agreed that only state regulatory agencies should sign the MOU. It was agreed that each state regulatory agency should work to develop agreements with interested groups.

Dr. Ed Arza reviewed plan with editorial changes. Wallace Chase will work on wording on page 5, paragraph 2

The Task Force decided that the next meeting should be held in early October.

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner RTSATF Meeting Minutes July 22, 2003 Page 3 of 3

List of Attendees: Miriam Allred USDA, APHIS, PPQ [email protected] Dr. Ed Arza USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services [email protected] Philip A. Bailey USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Conyers, Ga. [email protected] Ralph Cooley USDA, APHIS, PPQ [email protected] Mike Evans GA Dept. of Agriculture [email protected] Dr. Mark Garland Fla. Dept. Of Ag. & Consumer [email protected] Services Richard Gaskella Fla. Dept. Of Ag. & Consumer [email protected] Services Stephen C. Fuller USDA, APHIS, IES [email protected] Ken Glenn SC Dept. Of Plant Industry [email protected] Dr. Ashby Green Fla. Dept. Of Ag. & Consumer [email protected] Services Frankie Hall Fla. Farm Bureau [email protected] Tomm Johnson Al Dept. of Agriculture [email protected] Andy McKiblen Julio Medal UF – IFAS [email protected] Mike Milicevic Fla. Cattlemen’s Assoc. [email protected] Art Miller USDA, APHIS, PPQ [email protected] Perry Mobley Alabama Farmers Federation [email protected] Bill Moore USDA APHIS PPQ [email protected] Kevin Morgan Florida Farm Bureau [email protected] Jeff Mullahey UF – IFAS [email protected] Kelsey Payne Malcolm Robertson SC Dept. Plant Industry malcolm@clemson .edu Jackie Smith FL Dept.- Invasion Plant Mgt. jackie.c.smith@ dep.state.fl.us Al Tasker USDA APHIS PPQ (National [email protected] Program) Ann Wildman USDA, APHIS, PPQ [email protected]

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner