Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Koren J. Widdel, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Subject: Agreement (#25-0417-000-SG) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program for FY 2025-26
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for high risk pest exclusion inspection services for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $203,818.03 in reimbursement for services performed.
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BACKGROUND:
In 1999, this Board first approved an agreement with California Department of Food and Agriculture ("CDFA") to initiate the High Risk Pest Exclusion ("HRPE") Program, through which the CDFA reimburses the County for the costs of inspection activities that prevent the introduction of exotic insects and diseases through identified high risk pest pathways. The agreement between the County and CDFA has been renewed each year since.
DISCUSSION:
Proposed Agreement #25-0417-000-SG (the "Agreement") with CDFA for FY 2025-26 provides that the County will receive up to $203,818.03 in reimbursement for 1,844 personnel hours to be expended on eligible HRPE activities. Such activities include performing daily inspections of air freight shipments at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), nursery stock truck shipments at wholesale nurseries, and plant product shipments at parcel facilities. Pest exclusion work activities protect the agricultural industry and the environment from harmful exotic pests that may be introduced into California.
Industry shipping patterns continue to impact the types of agricultural shipments entering the County at SFO. It is anticipated that one percent of the shipments inspected during FY 2025-26 will be rejected due to presence of actionable pests that are subject to State and Federal quarantine law. Exotic pes...
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