WHEREAS agriculture is Colorado’s 3rd largest industry; and
WHEREAS the infestation of non-native invasive insects such as the Japanese Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer and European Wood Wasp poses a threat to the future viability of Colorado’s orchard crops, nursery stock, and our forest resources; and
WHEREAS Colorado is one of a minority of states which do not require a quarantine on the importation of nursery crops, the primary source for introduction of non-native insects; and
WHEREAS the imposition of a quarantine on imported nursery crops will increase the cost of such imports, and Colorado is a net importer of such crops;
WHEREAS concurrently there are instances of constructive introductions of foreign species to control destructive and economically damaging infestations
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 urges the Colorado Department of Agriculture to aggressively explore the current and potential future impacts of invasive non-native insects on Colorado’s agriculture industry, nursery crop industry, and forest resources, and consider appropriate measures (including the possibility of a statewide quarantine on imported nursery crops) to address this problem, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 urges both state and federal governments to provide the funding necessary to support effective monitoring and control of the detrimental invasive insects.
Adopted 4/4/2008
Amended 9/6/2013