Schumer: New York State's $52 Million Grape Crop At Undue Risk Due To Outdated Facility That Provides Critical Research To Local Grape Growers; Senator Launches Push To Replace USDA's Outdated Grape Research Lab In Geneva With New State-Of-The-Art Facility

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize the replacement and modernization of the Federal Grape Genetic Research Service Lab in Geneva, NY in the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Capital Investment Strategy for FY 2016. In his letter to Secretary Tom Vilsack, Schumer urged that the outdated facility be replaced as soon as possible. The Federal Grape Genetic Research Service Lab provides critical information to New York grape growers through a variety of different research programs and studies, including improved resistance to crop-killing disease. New York State has over 1,600 family vineyards, and almost 40,000 acres of cropland, valued at over $52 million, which produces $4.8 billion in annual economic benefits for the state. Schumer said that a failure to replace and modernize the facility could leave New York grape growers without the critical research they need to succeed in a competitive industry.

"The Federal Grape Genetic Research Services Lab in Geneva provides critical research to help New York grape growers enhance their crops, but it is old and outdated and must be replaced immediately. That's why I have called on the USDA to prioritize replacing the Geneva facility as part of their Capital Investment Strategy for the upcoming fiscal year," said Schumer. "Failure to make this important investment would put the entire New York grape industry at undue risk. The grape industry provides $4.8 billion in economic benefits for New York and supports thousands of jobs, not to mention the livelihood of many family-owned farms and vineyards. Without a new facility, many of those jobs could be put at risk. The USDA should replace this lab, which has produced some of the finest minds in this field, to continue the expansion of this thriving industry."

Schumer said the grape industry is a crucial sector of the New York economy, with nearly 40,000 acres of cropland and production across 1,392 vineyards in the state. Schumer explained the Federal Grape Genetic Research Service Unit conducts research and studies on grape production, which is in turn provided to the growers to enhance and increase their production. Schumer said the facility is outdated and cannot continue to carry out its mission without significant maintenance and upgrades. Therefore, Schumer urged Secretary Vilsack to prioritize the lab's replacement request as the ARS plans how to replace outdated USDA facilities.

Given the poor condition of the Grape Genetic Research Service Lab, Schumer urged Secretary Vilsack to put the labs on the list of USDA facilities eligible for ARS funding. In addition, Schumer is pushing for increased funding for USDA to replace these labs in the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill.

Schumer also noted the number of grape growers across New York State, and said the sustainability of these vineyards could be at risk if the facility is not replaced and becomes inoperable.

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