CDFA Pest Ratings

Policy

Section 403 of the California Food and Agricultural Code mandates that, “The department shall prevent the introduction and spread of injurious insect or animal pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds.” This statutory duty requires a pest policy which recognizes that organisms vary as to their potential and actual harm to California’s agriculture and environment. Overall pest significance is the basis for determining what pest prevention activities are appropriate, at what level, and when and where those activities should be conducted.

Pest ratings are intended as aids to inform county agricultural commissioners and other interested persons as to a particular pest’s environmental, agricultural and biological significance, as well as its importance to the general public, and the action recommended by the Department to deal with the pest.

Each pest rating represents the Department’s view of the statewide importance of the pest to the agricultural, horticultural, forestry, and public health interests of California. Local conditions may dictate more stringent action against the same pest in individual counties at the discretion of the county agricultural commissioner.

It is the Department’s policy to use the “Action Oriented Rating System.” Pest ratings represent the Department’s policy governing what action is to be taken consistent with existing statutes which include authority for: the promulgation of quarantine, eradication, control, standards of cleanliness, and other regulations; holding and inspection; establishing host-free, weed-free, and special pest control districts; and for other regulatory activities.

For a review on the history of CDFA’s Action Oriented Pest Rating system, click here

Definitions

A	An organism of known economic importance subject to state (or commissioner when acting as a state agent) enforced action involving: eradication, quarantine regulation, containment, rejection, or other holding action. Examples: Spotted & Squarrose Knapweeds, Musk & Scotch Thistles
Q	An organism or disorder requiring a temporary “A” action pending determination of a permanent rating. The organism is suspected to be of economic importance but its status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information. In the case of an established infestation, at the discretion of the Director, the Department may conduct surveys and may convene the Division Pest Study Team to determine a permanent rating.
B	An organism of known economic importance subject to: eradication, containment, control or other holding action at the discretion of the individual county agricultural commissioner. or An organism of known economic importance subject to state endorsed holding action and eradication only when found in a nursery. Examples: Canada Thistle, Purple Loosestrife
C	An organism subject to no state enforced action outside of nurseries except to retard spread. At the discretion of the county agricultural commissioner. or An organism subject to no state enforced action except to provide for pest cleanliness in nurseries. Examples: Yellow Starthistle, Scotch & French Brooms, Medusahead
D	No Action. (Parasites, predators and organisms or little or no economic importance.) Example:Rattlebox