AgriLogic  was contracted by the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) to conduct the research and determine the feasibility of a risk management program to assist growers who are affected by Perennial Pathogen Destruction. Grower groups requested that RMA develop a risk management program to provide coverage for trees, vines and bushes against destruction associated with Perennial Pathogens. This task order provides the basis for development of such a risk management product. This is the first task order in what may be a series of task orders intended to ultimately result in a risk management program for Perennial Pathogen Destruction.

For the purposes of this Task Order, "tree, vine and bush" shall include any tree, vine, or bush that produces a crop intended for sale as food or fiber such as peaches, grapes or blueberries, etc. The definition of Perennial Pathogen Destruction used for this research is: "Damage to trees, vines, or bushes that produce fruits nuts, or berries for human consumption by viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases to the extent that the plant will become less productive, be a source of a pathogen to infect other plants, or die before the end of a normal life cycle."

Research was been conducted in the following eight states: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Major Perennial Pathogens in these areas discussed in the ARPA (2000 Farm Bill) that are addressed in this report, but are not limited to the, Plum Pox Virus, Pierce's Disease and Asiatic Citrus Canker, which have each caused a significant financial impact and mass destruction in one or more of these states.