Invasive pest alarms onion farmers, officials

Following reports that the allium leafminer, an invasive insect, has been found in Orange County, U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) called for funding to combat the pest in the Hudson Valley.
The allium leafminer destroys the foliage and stems of onions, leeks, garlic, chives, shallots, and green onions. The first pests were discovered in Orange County in mid-April. Local agriculture experts warn that the insect could inflict damage on the Orange County onion crop, but have limited information on the extent of the potential damage or how to stop it. Orange County produces half of New York State’s onion crop. The industry in Orange County alone generates $25 million in annual sales and employs hundreds of residents.
Maloney asked the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, which provides funding to allow organizations to quickly combat emerging risks to the nation’s food supply, to approve a grant request submitted by Cornell University.
"Farmers like Rick Minkus work their tails off to grow the food we eat, and they could be in big trouble if we don’t figure out how to stop these things — and quick,” said Rep. Maloney, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture. “I got a personal assurance from Agriculture Secretary Perdue, just a couple weeks ago, that the Department is going to work with us on this — help can’t come soon enough.”
Dr. Brian Nault from the Cornell University Department of Entomology said research is desperately needed to identify fast-acting tactics that prevent damage by allium leafminer.
"Collaborative research efforts are currently underway among entomologists and cooperative extension specialists who work with vegetable crops at Cornell University and Penn State University," Nault said. "However, more research funding is needed to enable this team to generate information that will be required to solve this very serious problem.”
The investment requested by Cornell would leverage federal and state dollars to develop techniques for destroying the pests.
Widespread supportMaloney drew widespread praise for leading the charge to eradicate the pest.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said that, "Across the board, Rep. Maloney has been a big supporter of us here in Orange County. Agriculture is our major source of economic development, and this bug could be devastating for us."
"This has the potential to be a disaster for our farmers in the black dirt area,” said Orange County Legislator James O’Donnell. “I want to thank Rep. Maloney for coming out to help with this – it can cost $15 an acre to fight this which hurts our profits — so whatever help we can get will help us keep agriculture in the forefront for the Orange County economy."
"I just want to thank the Congressman for coming down and staying on top of this issue and thank him for the awareness and the help he can give to us, including research dollars,” said Orange County Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz.
"Warwick is a farming area, and Rep. Maloney from the start has been working to help out our farmers,” said Warwick Town Supervisor Mike Sweeton. “I'm confident that this new challenge will be overcome with Rep. Maloney's support and effort."
"I want to thank Congressman Maloney and his staff for putting this effort together,” said Orange County Farm Bureau President John Lupinski. “This leafminer could be a serious problem for onions, garlic, and leeks, so we need to get going on this."