Bill Overview
Title: Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to establish a fund for research relating to, and activities to mitigate the negative effects of, spotted wing drosophila. Spotted wing drosophila is an invasive species from East Asia that has caused significant damage to many valuable fruit crops in the United States, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, plums, and cherries.
Sponsors: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in the agricultural production and consumption of affected fruits
Estimated Size: 20000000
- Spotted wing drosophila is an invasive species that affects many fruit crops, and thus impacts those involved in the agricultural production of these fruits.
- The crops mentioned (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, plums, and cherries) are widely produced and consumed globally.
- The agricultural sector is a major part of many economies, involving millions of workers including farmers, pickers, and agricultural business owners.
- Consumers worldwide who purchase and consume these fruits will be impacted, as the presence of this pest can affect fruit prices and availability.
- The United States is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of many of these fruit crops, so mitigating the effects of the pest there could have global economic implications.
Reasoning
- The policy targets the agricultural sector affected by the spotted wing drosophila. These are mainly people in rural and semi-rural areas engaged in growing, harvesting, and marketing fruit crops such as raspberries, strawberries, and cherries.
- The policy's budget limitations and scope mean that its direct impact is most likely on farmers and agricultural workers within certain regions rather than spreading uniformly across the population extent the pest affects.
- A considerable portion of the funding is designated for research, which may not yield immediate relief or benefits. Thus, farmers and agricultural workers might expect better outcomes over the longer term rather than generating instant improvements in their living conditions.
- Individuals working in ancillary roles within fruit processing and distribution may experience indirect impacts depending on the policy's success and its trickle-down effect from farm productivity.
- Ultimately, general consumers, especially those in urban areas, may notice slight changes in the price and availability of these fruits over time depending on policy success and supply chain improvements, yet these impacts are mostly indirect.
Simulated Interviews
Fruit farmer (Fresno, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful that the research funding will lead to effective methods to control the spotted wing drosophila. It's been tough dealing with the crop losses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Agricultural researcher (Midland, Michigan)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a strong step in supporting necessary research to curb the damage caused by invasive species like the spotted wing drosophila.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Blueberry farm owner (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We desperately need this sort of policy to protect our crops. The damage from the pest has been significant, affecting our work and income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Grocery store manager (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy might eventually stabilize supply, but I don't see much immediate impact on grocery stores.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cherry farm owner (Yakima, Washington)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might be beneficial for future crops, but it’s crucial it delivers results soon given my dwindling yields.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Agricultural Policy Analyst (San Francisco, California)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the long-term benefits of the SWAT Act for research and mitigation, though results won't be swift.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Fruit distribution manager (Miami, Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the right outcomes from this policy, we might see improvements in pricing consistency and supply chain stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Fruit farm worker (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy succeeds, it could mean more stable jobs and better yields in the farms I work on.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Small fruit producer (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Local markets depend on affordable and quality produce, and this policy might help secure our product quality over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Urban consumer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly impacted, but keeping these fruits available and affordable is important for consumers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $82000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $102000000)
Year 3: $84000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $104000000)
Year 5: $88000000 (Low: $68000000, High: $108000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The inclusion of diverse fruit crops means a broad national impact on various states.
- The administrative efficiency of the fund could heavily influence the outcome of pest management efforts.
- International considerations due to the U.S. export of affected fruits.