Federal shutdown threatens tourism, pest control

Hannah Esqueda and Doug

Hoagland

hannah@midvalleypublishing.com

As the federal government shutdown entered its second week, the effect in the area was largely in lost tourism business from the closed Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

However, the shutdown could soon hurt efforts to control the Asian citrus psyllid pest that poses a major threat to the areas citrus industry.

The shutdown was ongoing as of Monday, Oct. 7, at the time of The Posts deadline this week.

Pest control programs are funded jointly by the citrus industry, the state government and the federal government. The federal money is unavailable during the shutdown, but industry is kicking in extra funds, said Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner Les Wright.

For the short term, there is money to keep the programs going, he said. But if this thing goes too long were going to have some issues.

Without the pest control programs, ag officials cant detect the psyllid and treat orchards where its discovered, giving the pest a chance to get established, Wright said.

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Federal shutdown threatens tourism, pest control