On Monday, April 19, 2021 PCGs Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs Kody Bessent testified before the Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in favor of H.B. 2089, relating to the detection and mitigation of plant pest and diseases. The bill was favorably passed out of committee by a vote of 9-0. The bill has now been placed on the Notice of Intent calendar, until it is referred for floor debate in the Senate as a Whole.
If enacted, this legislation would establish an early plant pests and disease detection and mitigation system through cooperative agreements with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and institutions of higher education. The bill authorizes a full range of activities, including field inspection for early detection before the invasive species becomes established or becomes too large and costly to eradicate or control.
Early detection of plant pests and disease will allow for better containment to slow the spread of an invasive organism or species, which will allow for timely biological control methods, research and development of resistant seed varieties, and the ability to identify better management practices in order to contain the issue before it becomes more widespread in the state. One example this legislation would help with is combating Fusarium wilt race 4 (FOV4) in cotton.
Plains Cotton Growers is very appreciative of the Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chairman, Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) for taking up the initiative in the Senate and we look forward to full adoption of the legislation in the coming week.