NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1971 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1036

HOUSE BILL 816

 

 

AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ERADICATE AND CONTROL THE SWEET POTATO WEEVIL IN NORTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, the sweet potato weevil was found in North Carolina in March 1967 and this pest remains a serious threat to the $30,000,000 sweet potato industry; and

Whereas, the Entomology Division has been conducting since March 1967 and is now conducting an emergency program in cooperation with the sweet potato industry, the USDA, and the North Carolina State University to eradicate this pest from North Carolina; and

Whereas, whether the eradication program is successful or not, a vigorous survey and regulatory program to prevent the spread or reintroduction of this pest in the $30,000,000 industry is needed; and

Whereas, the cost of this program will be less if the survey and regulatory program is kept intact and sustained in order to protect this industry; and

Whereas, this program must be kept going and a weevil-free status of the sweet potato industry maintained since the pesticides used to control this pest may be withdrawn from us; and

Whereas, this pest must be found, destroyed, and prevented from spreading, or it is quite possible the weevil could put North Carolina out of the sweet potato business; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the general fund of the State of North Carolina to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, in addition to all other appropriations, the sum of $17,650 for the biennium 1971-1973 for the general purpose set forth in the preamble to this act.

Sec. 2.  This act shall be in full force from and after July 1, 1971.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 21st day of July, 1971.