Fresno and Madera counties have declared an emergency allowing growers to spray for the invasive Beat Leafhopper, which can cause damage to tomato plants. Image via University of California

A temporary local emergency to fight an invasive pest has been declared in another Central Valley county

Effective May 1, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office has declared  a local emergency for the threat from Beet Curly Top Virus. The emergency allows neonicotinoid pesticides to be applied to crops susceptible to the beet leafhopper (BLH), which carries the virus that is known to cause serious crop damage.

The local emergency is currently in effect and will remain so until ratified by the Madera County Board of Supervisors on May 7, with the local emergency expected to continue.

The declaration is in response to increases in the populations of the BLH in the wildland and agricultural interface in Madera.

Starting Jan. 1 of this year, the use of neonicotinoid pesticides was restricted in California, but a local emergency declaration supersedes the regulations.

The emergency declaration will be in effect for 60 days from the date its ratified, then the need for the local emergency will be reviewed by the Madera County Sheriff and Board of Supervisors to determine whether to continue the local emergency or not.

“We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation. The conditions amidst ongoing infestation activity require a high level of immediate attention. We ask residents, and our agricultural community in particular, to be vigilant as these circumstances progress, said Madera County Director of Emergency Services Tyson J. Poque in a letter.

In mid-April, a pest emergency was declared in Fresno County due to the threat of tomato crops from the BLH.