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Abstract
Since 2000, approximately $50 million per year has been spent to control infestations of the
Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS), an insect that spreads Pierce’s Disease (PD). This amount
includes the costs of state and federal efforts to monitor and control the GWSS, research on
PD/GWSS, and compliance with the PD Control Program. Using a simulation model of the market
for California wine grapes, we estimate that under the current program, PD costs winegrape
growers and consumers $92 million annually. If the program ended and the GWSS became
widespread throughout California, the annual cost borne by growers and consumers would
increase by an estimated $185 million.